MENU
SEARCHThe law enforcement agency, which annually inspects more than 23,000 school buses in the state and plays a key role in certifying school bus drivers, wins the 2014 California State Child Safety Award. The honor is presented by the Child Safety Network.
The California Highway Patrol won the 2014 California State Child Safety Award for its role in safe pupil transportation. Pictured is the agency's headquarters in Sacramento.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was honored on Thursday for its role in the safe transportation of more than 1 million pupils in the state each year.
CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow accepted the 2014 California State Child Safety Award on behalf of the law enforcement agency. The award from the Child Safety Network was presented at the California State PTA convention in Los Angeles. It is considered the highest state honor for excellence in the protection of children and youth.
“The men and women of the California Highway Patrol share my enthusiasm for saving lives, in particular, the lives of our children and youth,” Farrow said. “We take great pride in the fact that the CHP’s School Bus Program is designed to ensure the highest level of safety for California’s students.”
California has a special driver certificate program. Certification is accomplished through an intense qualification and testing process administered by the CHP, along with the California Department of Education and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Officials said that because of this process, only the most qualified drivers are issued the required school bus driver certificate. Currently, there are about 33,000 certified school bus drivers in California.
The CHP is also responsible for the annual inspection and certification of more than 23,000 school buses in California.
“As a result of the strong emphasis placed on school bus safety, coupled with the continued dedication and professionalism of school bus drivers throughout the state, California has not experienced a pupil passenger fatality on a school bus since 1995,” Farrow said.
The alternative transportation provider’s 2025 Safety Report highlights 99.7% incident-free rides, 130 million safe miles, and more.
Read More →
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.
Read More →
Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.
Read More →
See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.
Read More →
Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.
Read More →
Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.
Read More →
When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.
Read More →
EverDriven has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.
Read More →
The OEM's three-week campaign during National School Bus Safety Week has awarded nearly $6,000 to Bryan County Schools to support increasing student safety around the bus.
Read More →
