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Charlie Hott Remembered as Leader in School Bus Safety

The former NHTSA safety standards engineer, who died on Aug. 13, was regarded for his expertise and guidance for the pupil transportation industry.

Thomas McMahon
Thomas McMahonExecutive Editor
August 24, 2016
Charlie Hott Remembered as Leader in School Bus Safety

Charlie Hott, a former NHTSA safety standards engineer, was regarded for his expertise and guidance for the pupil transportation industry.

1 min to read


Charlie Hott, a former NHTSA safety standards engineer, was regarded for his expertise and guidance for the pupil transportation industry.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Charlie Hott, a former safety standards engineer for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), died on Aug. 13. He was 67.

At NHTSA, Hott worked on numerous school bus safety issues. He was a key contact at the federal agency for pupil transportation associations, and he often gave presentations at industry conferences. He also participated in the National Congress on School Transportation, the assembly held every five years to update school bus specifications and procedures.

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On the funeral home website where Hott’s obituary is posted, numerous school transportation community members have commented on Hott’s safety expertise and his influential role in the industry.

“I was always impressed with Charlie's knowledge and appreciated so much his dedication to safe transportation in the student transportation industry,” wrote Vicki Barnett of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “He was so helpful to me and many others over the years.”

Hott, who was born in Sharpsburg, Maryland, graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years.

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