Ensuring the Safety of School Buses as Students Return to Classrooms in Our City
As students in our city get ready to head back to school, it’s important to remember that it’s not just the classrooms needing preparation. Right alongside them are the school buses that will be transporting millions of our kids every day. Keeping these buses safe is vital for a successful school year, so let’s dive into what that involves!
A Look at The Numbers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over a decade from 2013 to 2022, there have been 61 tragic fatalities involving passengers and 50 drivers in school transportation vehicles. While these numbers may seem small compared to the 23.5 million students who ride a school bus annually, every loss is a heartbreaking reminder that we need better measures to ensure safety.
Legislative Steps Forward
Fortunately, significant strides have been made to protect our young travelers. Federal guidelines, like the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Entry Level Driver Training requirements, have increased the standards for school bus driver training. This helps ensure that our drivers have the skills they need to operate the buses safely.
Moreover, school districts and private bus companies have been working hard to promote defensive driving practices, minimize distractions, and educate students about safe behaviors on and around buses. However, it is crucial not to let legislation promote a reactive approach to safety.
The Need for Proactive Measures
With advances in technology, school transportation could be more proactive rather than reactive. Surprisingly, many districts have yet to embrace advanced on-board technology that could significantly boost safety. Some of the reasons for this could include budget constraints or a lack of technological expertise.
The reality is that many buses are operating with the bare minimum safety features. When districts rely on manual routing, they might miss out on essential tools like audio-video equipment, GPS tracking, communication systems, and student attendance tracking. These tools can profoundly contribute to a robust safety strategy.
Balancing Costs and Safety
From my perspective as both an administrator and a parent, I fully understand the challenges involved. School administrators often face the daunting task of balancing costs with the need for safety. Meanwhile, parents consider any investment in their child’s safety as invaluable. With the start of a new school year upon us, now is the perfect time to assess how technology can help keep our students secure on their journeys to and from school.
Essential Technological Features
From what I’ve learned as a former school transportation director, investing in the latest technology is a game-changer for enhancing safety. In my experience with the Kansas City school district, we utilized systems that allowed us to respond to incidents on the bus within minutes. This capability often enabled us to address behavioral issues before kids even arrived home. Moreover, these technologies helped us to implement a proactive peer review process where drivers could learn from each other, improving their safety practices continuously.
A Call for Action
Today, as our community grapples with challenges like driver shortages and tight budgets, there’s no doubt that technology is our best ally in safeguarding our school buses. By leveraging innovative tools, we can ensure that our children have a safer ride to school and return home happily each day.
As parents, school officials, and community members, let’s work together to advocate for the enhancement of our school transportation systems. Our children deserve nothing less than a safe journey!
