School Bus Driver Quits After Close Call With Train
The railroad crossing arm reportedly lowers onto the bus. A student captures video of a freight train running near the bus, but no one is harmed.
CARY, N.C. — A school bus driver here resigned last week after a close call with a train, WTVD reports.
The bus driver, who was not identified, reportedly maintained speed and approached the railroad crossing as the arm lowered onto the bus. A middle school student shared with the news source video from her phone that shows a freight train running near the bus.
No students were harmed, but the student who took video of the incident described it as “terrifying,” and one parent told WTVD that the students were disoriented after the incident. The Wake County Public School System told the news source that the driver resigned on Friday.
The news source obtained a copy of a letter that the principal of the school sent to parents. It stated that on Thursday he received reports that the bus stopped before the train tracks and while it was stopped, the crossing arm “landed on the front of the bus.” The principal also stated in the letter that he contacted the school district’s transportation department, which is investigating the incident and had removed the driver from the route. CSX, the company that owns the railroad tracks, is also looking into the incident.
View the student's video of the incident, obtained by WTVD, below.
More Safety

How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program
Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
Recent School Bus Accidents Leave 2 Dead, 2 Injured
Four school bus crashes in Florida, Illinois, and Georgia highlight risks in transportation lots, at bus stops, and during student loading and unloading.
Read More →
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →
What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help
School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.
Read More →
Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents
Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.
Read More →
Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.
Read More →
Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty
With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.
Read More →
Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System
The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.
Read More →
How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →

