Bus driver suspended for cell phone use, lying about caller
Rossana Lucas receives a 10-day suspension after she is seen on a video surveillance camera taking a call, and she also picks up another driver at an unauthorized stop. Lucas tells officials for the Florida district that she had taken the call from her son, a Marine stationed in Iraq, but the district’s investigation reveals that her story doesn't add up, and she admits that the caller was not her son.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A bus driver for a school district here has received a 10-day suspension for taking a call on her cell phone while she was driving and also lying about whom she was talking to, The Miami Herald reports.
Several weeks ago, Rossana Lucas quickly answered her phone on the bus, and through the video surveillance system on board, she can be heard telling someone she will call them back. She faced a potential five-day suspension for her actions, but when she told officials for Broward County Public Schools that the call was from her son, a U.S. Marine stationed in Iraq, Superintendent Robert Runcie put her punishment on hold while the situation was investigated.
As the investigation unfolded, district officials learned that the call was not from Lucas’ son. In addition, Lucas is shown in video footage picking up another bus driver at an unauthorized stop, and the two women then discuss a private side business.
When officials determined that Lucas’ story didn’t add up, she was told that her suspension period would be doubled to 10 days, and she had to formally apologize or she would face termination. On Tuesday, Lucas accepted her punishment and apologized, saying, according to The Miami Herald, "I voluntarily agree to the 10-day suspension ... and I know that day, it was not my son. Thank you."
To read the full story, click here.
Other news on bus drivers and cell phones:
• School bus drivers: Is trust enough?
More Safety
Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York
A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.
Read More →
NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners
Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.
Read More →
The Driver Shortage Playbook
Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.
Read More →
Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →