PHOTOS: New York association demonstrates school bus safety

Regis Beneville, who was the youngest volunteer at the event, at 9 years old, helped demonstrate the danger zone in the Student Management station.

“Student safety is our number-one priority,” said Tim Flood, an NYSBCA board member and executive vice president of the Trans Group. “This event was not only important in helping parents understand what it takes to make that ride as safe as possible for children, but what can be done to make it even safer. This includes support for legislation that would increase penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus and school bus drivers who fail a drug or alcohol test.” Shown here are school buses parked outside the event.

The event was held at Suffolk Transportation Service's Safety and Training Center in Bay Shore, N.Y. Each session began with an introduction on how school bus drivers are screened and selected, along with driver training and qualification requirements. Shown far right is Hilma Hammer, director, large bus, at Suffolk Transportation, discussing evacuation procedures.

Participants were given an idea of school bus driver training by going through five separate school bus safety stations, each focusing on a different aspect of safe pupil transportation. The event was also supported by Suffolk New York Association for Pupil Transportation; Suffolk Transportation Service Inc.; Educational Bus Transportation; WE Transport; Towne Bus and Huntington Coach Corp.

Paul Mori, an NYSBCA board member, demonstrates the 135-lb. weight drag, part of the driver's physical performance test. “It’s important for people to see what’s involved in transporting children to school each day safely so they can be our allies and help ensure that school bus drivers are held to the highest possible safety standards,” he said.