INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
Fewer Illegal Passings in Iowa, But Challenges
Remain A joint safety study conducted at Iowa
State University and supported by the University of Iowa found that stop-arm cameras can be effective in deterring motorists from illegally passing school buses, if there are supporting processes that result in violations. Te researchers also recommended the installation of a second stop arm at the rear of the school bus as a “low-cost” traffic solution to illegal passing incidents. According to the NASDPTS survey conducted last May, about 100,000 bus drivers in 28 states reported that 88,025 vehicles passed their school buses on a single day. NASDPTS estimated that motorists illegally pass school buses 13 million times per year nationwide. Drivers who illegally pass stopped
school buses are responsible for 16 students fatalities on average each year, according to NHTSA. “Ensuring the safety of Iowa’s school-
children is a top priority for this depart- ment and for all of Iowa schools and districts,” said Max Christensen, NAS- DPTS president and Iowa state director of student transportation. “Taking action at the local level, such as evaluating the feasibility of home-side loading/unload- ing of students and working with area law enforcement agencies, is essential.” Te Iowa study was required by the
passage of Kadyn’s Law in March 2012 to determine whether cameras mounted on buses reduce stop-arm violations. Te leg- islation came in response to the May 2011 death of 7-year-old Kadyn Halverson who died after being struck by a car as she crossed the street to board her school bus. Rep. Bruce Braley of Iowa intro- duced similar federal legislation in the U.S. House, and “Kadyn’s Act” passed unanimously last June, but that was not acted on by the Senate. A Braley aide told STN that the congressman would re-file the bill that would designate at least $10 million of NHTSA funds to enforcing illegal passing violations.
28 School Transportation News February 2013
FOUNDER OF WISCONSIN STUDENT TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER PASSES
Lyle Lamers, founder of Green Bay, Wis.-based Lamers Bus Lines, which provides student and charter transportation in Wisconsin and Florida, died Dec. 30 of natural causes at his home. He was 97.
Lamers founded the company in September 1944 with his first wife Ellen, who passed away in 1972. As a family-operated and owned business, Lamers Bus Lines’ first school district client became the Grant School District, which turned into West De Pere School District in 1948. In 1980, the company expanded its services to transport charters anywhere in the continental United States. Today, Lamers Bus Lines serves 33 school districts in Wisconsin. Its services are
offered in 29 locations throughout the state and one location in Florida, according to the company’s website. When Lamers first started his business, he used a 1936 red, white and blue Carry-All
bus. Aside from being the company's founder, he also drove a school bus until age 72. He also was a member of the Wisconsin School Bus Association for many years. Lamers also farmed in the Wrightstown and Lawrence, Wis., areas from 1928 to 1972 and served with the Lawrence Fire Department for 33 years. Lamers remarried in 1973 and had four children. In recent years, his two sons, Allen
and Kevin, and their children had taken over the company’s operations in order to allow Lamers to enjoy his hobbies and participate in community service programs. He is survived by his second wife, Helen, his sons, daughters Lyla and Myra, four
stepchildren, 25 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and three great-great grand- children, along with seven siblings. Te family requested donations be made to the Lamers Memorial Fund, which benefits local charities and schools.
Ü BIZ BITES
£ Dealer Leonard Bus Sales launched a redesigned website last month.
Canyon State Bus Sales announced that
Glendale (Ariz.)
Elementary School District ordered 13 new propane-powered school buses: six Type C Blue Bird Propane Visions and seven Collins Bus Corp. NEXBUS propane Type A units … The American Bus Association selected A Child’s Place in Charlotte, N.C., as its local nonprofit charity for Marketplace 2013 to raise money for the education of homeless children … Fort Zumwalt School District won the Community Leadership in Environmental Awareness Now award after it becoming the first district in
Missouri to run Blue Bird Propane- Powered Visions … Leonard Bus Sales launched a redesigned website at www.
leonardbus.com to help customers find product information on IC Bus and Trans Tech Bus models and help them to better manage their fleets … Rush Enterprises Inc. acquired certain assets of MVI Group, which operates commercial truck and bus dealerships in Ohio, including International, IC Bus, Isuzu and Idealease franchises … Durham School Services began operating buses for Peach County Schools in December after entering a 5.5-year contract — the company's first in Georgia … American Traffic Solutions partnered with the Seattle Police Department to begin using speed safety cameras at four schools to better enforce school-zone speed limits.
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