a 180-day school year, two districts are among a broader group of schools testing First Light’s equipment. They were chosen to measure the impact on illegal passing incidents because they had at least one year of accurate and complete pass-by data for com- parison purposes. Iowa may update its stop-arm specifications “utilizing that type of technology” if a significant illegal-passing reduction is shown. Christensen said he welcomes technology that increases bus
visibility and safety but cautioned that student safety ultimately falls on the bus driver. “Driver training should always take precedent, since the driver
PHOTO COURTESY OF FIRST LIGHT SAFETY PRODUCTS
is ultimately responsible for the safety of the students on the bus. A driver can become complacent relying on technology alone in safety sensitive situations, plus technology can and does fail,” he said. “To avoid those problems, the driver should always take the lead in making sure the students are safe and to be fully trained regarding school bus safety.” Considering what’s at stake, Kuchciak said yellow bus profes-
sionals can’t afford to take their eye off the ball. “Almost every school district can cite either a close call where
a child was almost struck by a passing vehicle, or worse,” he concluded. “As an industry, we should do whatever we can to eliminate that issue. We should be able to get to zero.” ●
42 School Transportation News • FEBRUARY 2023
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