School bus driver picks up lost child, sticks to protocol
Doretha Jackson, who has been a school bus driver for Lee County Public Schools for 11 years, said that when she saw the toddler walking alone down the street, she remembered her driver training.
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — School bus driver Doretha Jackson was completing her morning pick-ups last week when she spotted a young child walking alone down the street.
The little girl, who appeared to be about 1 year old, was approaching a busy street, and Jackson saw no one following the child to stop her, according to an article in the Naples Daily News.
Jackson radioed her supervisor and asked if she could bring the child on the bus while transportation staff contacted the sheriff's office.
Recalling her training, Jackson opted not to leave her bus with students on board. Jackson asked a nearby pedestrian to bring the child onto the bus. She then assigned two of her passengers to watch the child.
While waiting for deputies to arrive, Jackson drove around the block to her next stop to pick up another student. By the time she returned to the scene, the toddler's mother and law enforcement had arrived. According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, no charges were filed related to the incident.
Jackson, who has worked as a bus driver for Lee County Public Schools for 11 years, received praise and thanks from her supervisors, who were impressed by her level-headed response to the situation and adherence to school transportation policy.
More Safety

How Two Texas Districts Built Award-Winning Safety Programs
Learn how Prosper ISD and Rockwall ISD earned National Safety Council honors through hands-on training, safety culture, and strategies that reduced transportation incidents.
Read More →
NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes
The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.
Read More →
2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing
New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.
Read More →
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 →
