Victims of deadly 1938 bus-train crash remembered
A monument is unveiled in South Jordan, Utah, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the accident, in which the bus driver and 23 students were killed after the train struck the bus as it crossed railroad tracks. The accident reportedly led to a nationwide law requiring buses to stop at all railroad crossings so the driver can both look and listen for oncoming trains.
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Survivors of a deadly 1938 school bus-train crash, along with friends and relatives of the victims, gathered here on Monday to witness the unveiling of a new monument to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the accident, Deseret News reports.
On Dec. 1, 1938, a bus carrying 39 students had stopped in front of railroad tracks — the driver had reportedly stopped to look for a train, but a blizzard caused almost zero visibility and prevented the driver from seeing the train that hit the bus as it crossed the tracks. The bus driver and 23 of the students on board were killed.
"It was an awful, awful day," Joyce Holder told the newspaper. "I can remember Mother coming to school to get me out of class and to tell me what had happened. I was devastated.” (Holder’s older sister, Virginia, was one of the students killed in the crash.)
The accident led to a nationwide law requiring buses to stop at all railroad crossings so the driver can both look and listen for oncoming trains, according to Deseret News.
To read the full story, click here.
More Safety

2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →
Geotab Expands Fleet Safety Tools With Video Coaching, Risk Insights
New safety and video capabilities aim to help fleet managers assess risk, support drivers, and take targeted action through video coaching, red-light violation detection, and more.
Read More →
How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program
Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
Recent School Bus Accidents Leave 2 Dead, 2 Injured
Four school bus crashes in Florida, Illinois, and Georgia highlight risks in transportation lots, at bus stops, and during student loading and unloading.
Read More →
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →
What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help
School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.
Read More →
Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents
Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.
Read More →
Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.
Read More →
