After finding that pedal misapplication was a factor in several school bus crashes in recent years, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) made a number of recommendations aimed at curbing the problem.
One of the recommendation recipients was the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), which has now issued to its members guidance for reducing the risks of pedal misapplication — when a driver depresses the accelerator instead of, or in addition to, the brake pedal.
To view the NASDPTS guidance and other documents on the topic, go here.
The association has also sent its members other missives on pedal misapplication, and NTSB representatives have spoken on the topic at NASDPTS conferences.
Late last month, NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman sent a letter notifying NASDPTS that its actions satisfied the intent of the agency's recommendation to the association, and it has been classified “Closed — Acceptable Action.”
In 2009, the NTSB reported that accidental acceleration may have been a factor in the 2005 school bus accident in Liberty, Mo., in which two people were killed.
The bus driver in that accident lost control of her bus and hit two vehicles. Two motorists were killed, and at least 23 students were injured. The bus driver reportedly told officials that she could not stop the bus.
The NTSB arrived on the scene and launched an investigation. The agency uncovered information suggesting that pedal misapplication was a factor in the crash.
The agency later investigated four accidents involving heavy vehicles, dating from 2005 to 2008, in which pedal misapplication was determined to be a factor. Three of those four crashes involved school buses.
