full picture. Most of the time, it’s not a discipline is- sue. It’s a workload or scheduling issue. “We should be supporting drivers first, but if there are repeated con- cerns and no improvement, then stronger action may be necessary,” he said. Understanding and adjusting to problems faced by


drivers stands as a practical starting point. “We try to avoid overloading routes, account for road


conditions and traffic patterns, and make adjustments when needed based on driver feedback or changing student needs,” Faust said. “Communication with drivers is important because they’re the ones seeing the day-to- day realities on the road.” He said he also feels that the CDL medical certifica-


tion process is important given drivers’ responsibility for student safety. “Vision, hearing, reaction time and overall fitness to safely operate a large vehicle all matter,” he said. With the ongoing focus on safety, amplified in some


states with legislation prompted by high-profile crash- es, an increased focus on driver’s wellness represents a growing trend. In several states and school districts, updated policies are aimed at insuring drivers remain fit to be behind the wheel. Close monitoring of driver capabilities includes recog-


nition that while tiredness alone affects a driver’s focus, there’s an even greater potential for accidents when fatigue has been caused by or combined with behaviors such as alcohol or drug use. That was evident in a 2024 crash, where an Illinois school bus crossed the center line and collided with a tractor trailer, resulting in five


fatalities. A subsequent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found a combination of drugs in the bus driver’s system to be a factor. Much more common are the everyday lifestyle and workload challenges routinely faced by drivers.


43% 136 votes of


on a web poll at stnonline.com say breathalyzers should be mandatory on school buses.


“Managing fatigue starts with making sure driv-


ers follow required hours-of-service rules and are given enough time to rest and recover between shifts,” said David Perez, vice president of safety for First Student. “Beyond compliance, there is also an opportu- nity for the industry to continue strengthening its focus on driver wellness.” He added that transportation leaders should be encouraging healthy sleep habits, maintaining open communication about workload and outside commit- ments, and creating an environment where drivers feel comfortable reporting when they’re not at their best to drive safely. “Technology can also support these efforts by help-


ing identify risk signals earlier and reinforcing existing safety practices,” he continued. As an example, First


Find the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service regulation at stnonline.com/go/pl.


Four Tips for Navigating Behind-the-Wheel Fatigue


Valerie Higley, a longtime school bus driver working at First Student’s location in East Lyme, Connecticut, offered the following tips for transportation leaders in dealing with fatigue: 1. Look at the big picture. This is a high-stress job with a tremendous weight of responsibility.


2. If you have good people behind the wheel, structure the pay and benefits so they can be career drivers.


3. Consider partnering with local fitness centers and health insurers willing to offer discounts for membership, since improving the overall health of the driver may help with fatigue as well.


4. Emphasize the importance of sleep and time management.


5. “Everyone from the students, their parents, teachers, superintendents and the community members depend on us to deliver each child safely every time,” Higley concluded.


54 School Transportation News • JULY 2026


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76