Student Stops Allegedly Drunk School Bus Driver
The Alabama sophomore notices erratic driving, and has the driver keep the bus turned off after she pulls over. The driver is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless endangerment.
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — A student here stepped in to stop a school bus driver who was driving erratically and was later arrested for being intoxicated while behind the wheel, WALA reports.
High school sophomore Cody Butler told the news source that his bus driver, Vicki Patrick, was swerving, and driving fast and then slow. He went to the front of the bus to see if she was OK, smelled alcohol, and noticed she was slurring her words. Butler walked back to his seat, called his mother and told her, and she called 911.
Patrick tried to pull over at a nearby fire station, but she missed the turn, stopped next to an intersection, and turned the bus off, Butler told WALA. She tried to call another bus to pick up the students but reportedly couldn’t form a complete sentence. Butler added that he wouldn’t let Patrick turn on the bus, and he told her to stay where she was.
A Baldwin County Public Schools employee stopped by and asked Patrick what was wrong, Butler told the news source. Butler added that he motioned for the employee to come over and “mouthed that she was drunk.” Patrick smelled like alcohol, had trouble standing and answering questions, and refused to take sobriety tests, deputies from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office told WALA. Her blood alcohol level was 15 times over the limit, Eddie Tyler, the superintendent for the district, told the news source. She is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless endangerment.
To read the full story, go here.
More Safety

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 →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
