Kentucky approves school bus driver cell phone ban
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky earlier this month signed an amendment to current law that bans school bus drivers from using c...
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky earlier this month signed an amendment to current law that bans school bus drivers from using cell phones while the bus is in motion and transporting one or more children.
An exception allows phone calls to the school transportation department when the bus is not equipped with a two-way radio. Drivers will also be allowed to use cell phones in the event of an emergency.
The first violation is punishable with a $50 fine, followed by a $100 fine plus a six month loss of the driver’s school bus license for the second violation.
The bill was drafted in response to a crash that left two students critically injured. The driver was allegedly under the influence of drugs and talking on her cell phone while driving.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report last November on a non-fatal motorcoach accident in which a driver drove his bus into a bridge while talking on a hands-free cell phone.
The NTSB concluded that the driver’s cell phone distraction caused the accident and recommended that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state governments prohibit CDL holders from using cell phones while driving buses.
More Safety
North Carolina Student Killed While Boarding School Bus, Two Die in Utah Bus Crash
A Southern Nash High School student died after being struck by a pickup truck while approaching her school bus. In a separate incident, two people were killed after crashing into a school bus in Utah.
Read More →
Minneapolis School Zone Pilot Cuts Speeding 41% with Low-Cost Street Design Changes
In a pilot project in Minnesota, two school-area intersections had low-cost, temporary road and traffic flow improvements made to measure the impact on roadway and student safety. Here's what they found.
Read More →
Sitestream, Safety Vision Partner with Connecticut City to Launch School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Program
The new enforcement initiative combines camera technology and violation management software to document illegal school bus passing, encourage driver compliance, and enhance student safety.
Read More →
From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible
Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.
Read More →
HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →