WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. — The Poughkeepsie Journal reports that Wappingers Central School District bus driver Charles Albertson was named the Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board and Mid Hudson Transportation Supervisors’ Association's School Bus Driver of the Year last week.
Albertson, who has been a bus driver for nine years, told the newspaper that he has never had an accident or an incident. Wappingers Superintendent Marco Pochintesta told the paper that the district is proud to have Albertson as an employee, and that he is the second district winner.
As Albertson was honored with the award, the state conducted its annual Operation Safe Stop initiative, bringing together school bus operations and law enforcement agencies to ticket drivers who illegally pass school buses that are stopped to pick up or drop off students, according to the New York Association for Pupil Transportation.
To read the full story, click here.
Bus driver honored as state conducts illegal-passing sweep
Charles Albertson, a bus driver for New York's Wappingers Central School District, was named the Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board and Mid Hudson Transportation Supervisors’ Association's School Bus Driver of the Year last week. Meanwhile, the state conducted its annual Operation Safe Stop initiative, bringing together school bus operations and law enforcement agencies to ticket drivers who illegally pass school buses.
More Safety

Autonomous Vehicles Aren’t Built for Student Transportation [Op-Ed]
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
New York Girl Killed by School Bus Hit & Run
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
Disaster Readiness Starts Before the Storm [Call for Experts]
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing
A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.
Read More →
Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate
As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.
Read More →
8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations
What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.
Read More →
Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses
A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.
Read More →
State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation
After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.
Read More →
