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Thomas McMahon

Executive Editor

Thomas had covered the pupil transportation industry with School Bus Fleet since 2002. When he's not writing articles about yellow buses, he enjoys running long distances and making a joyful noise with his guitar.

Newsby Thomas McMahonApril 8, 2013

4 students charged in school bus vandalism

At a Tennessee school, one bus had a broken window, and fire extinguishers had been removed from four buses and discharged inside one of them. A school resource officer develops information that leads to the arrest of three middle school students and one high school student.

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Phones: not the only distractions

Yes, talking and texting with cell phones is a major factor in automotive crashes. And many states have banned drivers from using cell phones. But there was distracted driving before cell phones, and there will always be many other ways to be distracted while driving. Hard as they may try ...

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Newsby Thomas McMahonApril 3, 2013

U.S. diesel price dips below $4

The Energy Information Administration’s weekly report finds the nation’s average on-highway diesel price at $3.993 per gallon as of April 1. It is the first time since January that the diesel average has been under $4.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonApril 3, 2013

Study points to risks of 'permitted' left turns

Researchers in Oregon say that in permitted left turns — distinguished from protected left turns — drivers may have to pick their way through narrow windows of oncoming traffic. Their study finds that about 4% to 9% of the time, drivers making permitted left turns don't look to see if there are pedestrians in the way.

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Articlesby Thomas McMahonApril 2, 2013

Fit for the job

You may feel like you can’t make time to exercise, but if you do, you just might find yourself more focused and productive while you’re working.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMarch 26, 2013

Jury points to pedal misapplication in Liberty bus crash

In the fatal Liberty, Mo., school bus crash in 2005, the National Transportation Safety Board ruled out mechanical failure and found that the circumstances “are consistent with driver pedal misapplication.” Now, in a civil trial, the jury echoes the federal investigators’ conclusion.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMarch 21, 2013

Bill would raise speed limit for North Carolina school buses

The legislation would let loaded and unloaded school buses in the state drive 55 mph, up from 45. The bill’s sponsor calls slow-moving buses on high-speed roads “a hazard,” but another legislator cites concerns for student safety in allowing buses to drive faster.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMarch 15, 2013

New school bus inspector hired in Iowa

Joe Funk takes over duties for inspecting school buses in the western region of the state. He joins inspector Verlan Vos and replaces Owen Freese, who recently retired from the position. A school bus inspection fee increase that is awaiting final approval will allow the Iowa Department of Education to hire one more inspector.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMarch 14, 2013

1 of Chowchilla school bus kidnappers denied parole

A California board again finds James Schoenfeld unsuitable for release from prison, but he will be re-examined in three years. In 1976, Schoenfeld and two others hijacked a school bus and imprisoned the 26 children and their driver in a buried moving van.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMarch 13, 2013

Photo exhibit shows school travel around the world

For the “Journeys to School” exhibition, 18 photographers followed schoolchildren in 13 countries — from Brazil to Nigeria to Thailand — as they traveled great distances, often facing significant dangers, to get an education.

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