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A Closer Look at Recent School Bus Accidents Lessons Learned

A closer look at recent school bus accidents in Baltimore, Chattanooga, Anaheim, Knoxville, and Mount Olive Township. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates and provides safety recommendations for improving transportation safety. Findings include lack of oversight, unsafe drivers, licensing loopholes, and the need for enhanced technology and education.

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A Closer Look at Recent School Bus Accidents Lessons Learned

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  1. June 2018 A Closer Look at Recent School Bus AccidentsLessons Learned

  2. National Transportation Safety Board • Independent federal agency that: • Investigates transportation accidents • Determine the probable causes of the accidents • Issues safety recommendations • Studies transportation safety issues • Evaluates the safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation • Does not assign fault or blame

  3. School Bus Accidents • Baltimore, Maryland (2016) • Chattanooga, Tennessee (2016) • Anaheim, California (2014) • Knoxville, Tennessee (2014) • Mount Olive Township, New Jersey (2018)

  4. NTSB Chairman Sumwalt • School buses are statistically safer • Investigation & recommendations about closing the gap

  5. Baltimore & Chattanooga 2 Accidents = 1 NTSB Report • Many similarities in the 2 accidents • Accidents were 3 weeks apart • Together places greater emphasis on the findings and recommendations

  6. Significant Issues – Both Accidents • School districts’ lack of oversight of school transportation service providers (B & C) • Poor management of unsafe school bus drivers by the motor carriers and school districts (B & C) • Medically unfit school bus drivers (B) • Commercial driver license fraud in Maryland (B) • Large school bus occupant protection (C ) • Electronic stability control, automatic emergency braking and event data recorders (B & C)

  7. Baltimore, MarylandNovember 1, 2016

  8. Accident Sequence • 6:30am • School bus with a driver and aide on board – NO children • Points of impact • Ford Mustang • Transit Bus • Both bus drivers & 4 transit bus passengers: killed, 7 transit bus passengers: seriously injured, other passengers: minor injuries

  9. Contractual Relationship • AAAfordable Transportation was contracted for school bus service. • The Baltimore County Public Schools maintained a direct role in overseeing the contractor and the bus drivers.

  10. Accident Findings • School Bus Driver’s Medical Condition • School Bus Driver’s CDL • Absence of Enough Technology

  11. Probable Cause • School bus driver medical incapacitation • School bus driver’s continued operation of school bus despite disqualifying issues • Lack of oversight by contractor and public schools • Absence of enough technology

  12. Contractor Oversight • School bus driver medical & driving history • School bus driver fitness for duty • County follow-up, guidance & policy

  13. Chattanooga, TennesseeNovember 21, 2016

  14. Accident Sequence • 3:20pm • School Bus with driver and 37 elementary school students • Points of Impact • Mailbox • Utility Pole • Fatalities: 6 students; students injured: 31; driver: minor injuries

  15. Contractual Relationship • Durham School Services was the contractor • The Hamilton County Department of Education contract specified only minimal oversight of the contractor and delegated oversight of the bus drivers to the contractor

  16. Accident Findings • Speed • Driver Tactics • Cell Phone • Complaints • Occupant Protection • Absence of Enough Technology

  17. Probable Cause • Speed + cell phone use = loss of control • Inadequate contractor oversight • Poor county follow-up • Lack of seat belts on school bus

  18. Contractor Oversight • Complaint tracking & follow-up • Monitoring & oversight of transportation providers

  19. Parties to NTSB Recommendations • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) • The States of Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York; 42 other states and the territory of Puerto Rico • The State of Maryland • The Maryland Department of Education • The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration • 5 school bus transportation associations • National Express LLC • 7 school bus manufacturers • 5 electronic health record companies • Concentra, Inc. • The report also reiterates four recommendations to NHTSA and reclassifies a recommendation to the Baltimore City Public Schools.

  20. NTSB Recommendations • Seat belts • Enhanced technology • Medical condition awareness • Closure of licensing loopholes • Education

  21. Anaheim, CaliforniaApril 24, 2014

  22. Accident Sequence • 3:37pm • School bus driver with 11 middle school students • Points of impact: • Curb • Light pole • tree • Driver & 4 students seriously injured, 5 students with minor injuries

  23. Knoxville, TennesseeDecember 2, 2014

  24. Accident Details • Distracted school bus driver swerved to avoid stopped traffic ahead, crashing into side of oncoming school bus • Distracted school bus driver was texting

  25. Mount Olive Township, NJMay 17, 2018

  26. Accident Details • School bus believed to have made an Illegal U-Turn after missing a highway exit • Point of impact: Bus collided with dump truck • Bus driver licensing concerns

  27. Lessons Learned • Drivers • Fitness for duty • On-bus behavioral management • Adherence to policies • Trust but verify

  28. Lessons Learned • Operations • Policies • Oversight • Coordination with county/city • Coordination with individual schools

  29. Contact Information Ronna Weber, Consultant to ABA rweber@colonialstrategies.com

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