2010 state of the state: a lean, green safety machine! presented to fapt mid-year transportation...

2010 State of the State:2010 State of the State:A Lean, Green Safety Machine!A Lean, Green Safety Machine!

Presented to FAPT Mid-year Presented to FAPT Mid-year Transportation Directors MeetingTransportation Directors Meeting

February 11, 2010February 11, 2010Charlie Hood, Director, School TransportationCharlie Hood, Director, School Transportation

Florida Department of EducationFlorida Department of Education

2009 Legislation--2009 Legislation--FailedFailed

• HB 87- To require HB 87- To require traffic and pedestrian traffic and pedestrian control devicescontrol devices at most schools on state roads at most schools on state roads

• HB 473- HB 473- Ronshay Dugans ActRonshay Dugans Act; to create ; to create Drowsy Driving Prevention Week; school bus Drowsy Driving Prevention Week; school bus drivers may only use drivers may only use wireless deviceswireless devices under under limited circumstanceslimited circumstances

• HB 587 and SB 18- HB 587 and SB 18- Claims billsClaims bills


• SB 610- To provide that FDOE shall distribute SB 610- To provide that FDOE shall distribute Student Transportation FEFP funds to Student Transportation FEFP funds to charter charter schoolsschools operating under Excellence Commission operating under Excellence Commission

• HB 627 and SB 1320- To prohibit HB 627 and SB 1320- To prohibit bus stopsbus stops on state on state roads w/ 55 mph or higher speedroads w/ 55 mph or higher speed

• SB 212 and HB 261- To specify that persons under SB 212 and HB 261- To specify that persons under age 18 may not use age 18 may not use wireless deviceswireless devices while driving while driving


• HB 1449- To prohibit school personnel from HB 1449- To prohibit school personnel from manually physically restrainingmanually physically restraining students with students with disabilities except in emergenciesdisabilities except in emergencies

2009 Legislation--2009 Legislation--PassedPassed• Appropriations (Chapters 2009-081 and Appropriations (Chapters 2009-081 and

2009-082, LOF)-2009-082, LOF)- Student Transportation Student Transportation included in overall FEFP for 2009-10, set at included in overall FEFP for 2009-10, set at $429M; $429M; reduced 13.1% since 2007-08 reduced 13.1% since 2007-08

• SB 344- SB 344- Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law-Safety Belt Law- Provides that not wearing a Provides that not wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle is now a seat belt in a motor vehicle is now a primary primary enforcement actionenforcement action

2009 Legislation--2009 Legislation--PassedPassed

• HB 481 and SB 1114- Increased penalty for HB 481 and SB 1114- Increased penalty for illegal passingillegal passing of bus by $65; funds go to of bus by $65; funds go to trauma centerstrauma centers

• SB 522- SB 522- Claims billClaims bill for relief; compensated for relief; compensated Merriweather for alleged negligence of Palm Merriweather for alleged negligence of Palm Beach S.D.Beach S.D.

2009 Legislation--2009 Legislation--PassedPassed

• SB 1676- Revised s.1006.21, FS, to require SB 1676- Revised s.1006.21, FS, to require that that contiguous districts have reciprocal contiguous districts have reciprocal agreementsagreements for school bus transportation for school bus transportation services, inspections, and screening services, inspections, and screening requirements for public schools, including requirements for public schools, including charter schoolscharter schools

2010 Legislation--Proposed2010 Legislation--Proposed

• Student Trans. Appropriations- Governor’s Student Trans. Appropriations- Governor’s budget rec. for 2010-11 is budget rec. for 2010-11 is $431M$431M (+0.5%), (+0.5%), still within FEFPstill within FEFP

• HB 81- Restricts allowable HB 81- Restricts allowable physical restraint physical restraint and seclusionand seclusion of students; requires district of students; requires district policy on whether drivers should be certified policy on whether drivers should be certified in manual physical restraint techniques in manual physical restraint techniques


• HB 177- HB 177- Claims billClaims bill for death of Kamel, resulting for death of Kamel, resulting from claimed negligence of districtfrom claimed negligence of district

• HB 221 and SB 1144- HB 221 and SB 1144- Ronshay Dugans ActRonshay Dugans Act; to ; to create Drowsy Driving Prevention Week; school bus create Drowsy Driving Prevention Week; school bus drivers may only use drivers may only use wireless deviceswireless devices under limited under limited circumstancescircumstances

• SB 316, HB 387- child restraint bill; requires SB 316, HB 387- child restraint bill; requires booster seatsbooster seats for ages 4-7, except school buses for ages 4-7, except school buses


• SB 326 (and others)- ProhibitsSB 326 (and others)- Prohibits texting texting by RR by RR engineers and school bus operatorsengineers and school bus operators

• SB 418- Prohibits use of SB 418- Prohibits use of cell phonescell phones in in school zonesschool zones

• HB 475 and SB 1110- Requires transitional HB 475 and SB 1110- Requires transitional speed zones at speed zones at school zones and camerasschool zones and cameras


• HB 599 and SB 1574- Authorizes HB 599 and SB 1574- Authorizes elementary elementary schools as hubsschools as hubs for secondary students; for secondary students; eliminates eligibility for secondaryeliminates eligibility for secondary between 2 between 2 and 3 miles, but authorizes and 3 miles, but authorizes hazardous hazardous walking for secondary studentswalking for secondary students; allows ; allows boards to approve boards to approve exterior advertisingexterior advertising on on school buses school buses


• SB 896- Requires school nurse or other health SB 896- Requires school nurse or other health care professional to provide bus drivers care professional to provide bus drivers training in symptoms of diabetestraining in symptoms of diabetes (recognition (recognition hypo- and hyperglycemia) and actions to hypo- and hyperglycemia) and actions to take; requires nurse or other professional on take; requires nurse or other professional on bus if bus driver has not completed trainingbus if bus driver has not completed training

Saving Money, Raising RevenueSaving Money, Raising Revenue(what ideas have we heard, and are (what ideas have we heard, and are they allowed?)they allowed?)• Parent pay for service???Parent pay for service???• Advertising inside buses (yes) or outside buses Advertising inside buses (yes) or outside buses

(no)(no)• Consolidating and reducing bus stopsConsolidating and reducing bus stops• Reducing routes and mileageReducing routes and mileage• 4-day week4-day week• Revising compensation packagesRevising compensation packages

Saving Money, Raising RevenueSaving Money, Raising Revenue(what ideas have we heard, and are (what ideas have we heard, and are they allowed?)they allowed?)• Seeking grants (EPA, Homeless assistance grants, Seeking grants (EPA, Homeless assistance grants,

transportation security, IDEA)transportation security, IDEA)• Reduce or eliminate courtesy busingReduce or eliminate courtesy busing• Review potential hazardous walking areasReview potential hazardous walking areas• Eliminate field trips, after-school tripsEliminate field trips, after-school trips• Cut back choice transportation (magnet schools, Cut back choice transportation (magnet schools,

charters, out of zone)charters, out of zone)• Optimize fleet service schedules and partsOptimize fleet service schedules and parts

ERC Rule Reducing Greenhouse GasesERC Rule Reducing Greenhouse Gases

• Rule 62-285.420, FAC, Heavy-Duty Rule 62-285.420, FAC, Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Reduction- Owners or Vehicle Idling Reduction- Owners or operators of heavy-duty diesel engine operators of heavy-duty diesel engine powered motor vehicles are prohibited from powered motor vehicles are prohibited from idling idling for more than five consecutive for more than five consecutive minutesminutes. Idling is the continuous operation . Idling is the continuous operation of a vehicle’s main drive engine while the of a vehicle’s main drive engine while the vehicle is stopped.vehicle is stopped.

(1)(1) Idling while stopped for traffic conditions over which the Idling while stopped for traffic conditions over which the driver has no control, including being stopped for an official driver has no control, including being stopped for an official traffic control device or signal, in a line of traffic, at a railroad traffic control device or signal, in a line of traffic, at a railroad crossing, at a construction zone, or at the direction of law crossing, at a construction zone, or at the direction of law enforcement.enforcement.

(2) Idling of buses 10 minutes prior to passenger loading and when (2) Idling of buses 10 minutes prior to passenger loading and when passengers are onboard passengers are onboard if needed for passenger comfortif needed for passenger comfort..

(3) If idling is necessary for a police, fire, ambulance, public (3) If idling is necessary for a police, fire, ambulance, public safety, military, or other vehicle being used in an emergency or safety, military, or other vehicle being used in an emergency or training capacity.training capacity.

ExemptionsExemptions

(4) If idling is necessary to verify that the vehicle is in (4) If idling is necessary to verify that the vehicle is in safe operating condition as required by law and that safe operating condition as required by law and that all equipment is in good working order, either as part all equipment is in good working order, either as part of a daily vehicle inspection or as otherwise needed, of a daily vehicle inspection or as otherwise needed, provided that engine idling is mandatory for such provided that engine idling is mandatory for such verification. verification.

(5) If idling is necessary to operate defrosters, heaters, (5) If idling is necessary to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment to prevent a air conditioners, or other equipment to prevent a safety or health emergency, safety or health emergency, but not solely for the but not solely for the comfort of the drivercomfort of the driver. .

Exemptions Exemptions (Continued)(Continued)

District Idling Policy Required:District Idling Policy Required:

• Rule 6A-3.0171, FAC, requires that districts Rule 6A-3.0171, FAC, requires that districts adopt adopt local idling policieslocal idling policies (effective (effective November 25, 2006)November 25, 2006)

• Districts should ensure local policies are Districts should ensure local policies are consistent with (and no less stringent than) consistent with (and no less stringent than) the new ERC idling rulethe new ERC idling rule

• NASDPTS working on NASDPTS working on model national idling model national idling reduction programreduction program

Other Required Local Policies Other Required Local Policies (Chapter 6A-3, FAC):(Chapter 6A-3, FAC):

• To To prohibit cell phone useprohibit cell phone use by drivers while by drivers while actively operating the bus (stay tuned for actively operating the bus (stay tuned for further announcements…)further announcements…)

• Safe driver plansSafe driver plans, including which infractions , including which infractions disqualify a driverdisqualify a driver

• Annual Annual safety instructions/notice for parentssafety instructions/notice for parents and studentsand students

Legislation, Statutes, and RulesLegislation, Statutes, and Rules

• www.leg.state.fl.uswww.leg.state.fl.us (Florida legislative bills (Florida legislative bills and statutes)and statutes)

• www.flrules.orgwww.flrules.org (Florida rules and statutes) (Florida rules and statutes)• www.regulations.govwww.regulations.gov (federal rulemaking (federal rulemaking

—dockets and public comments)—dockets and public comments)

Fatalities in 2008-09 (Fatalities in 2008-09 (requiring requiring school bus crash report to FDOEschool bus crash report to FDOE):):• Marion, 9/23/08- Frances Margay Schee, 13, Marion, 9/23/08- Frances Margay Schee, 13,

killed when her school bus was struck from killed when her school bus was struck from behind by a semi truckbehind by a semi truck

• Okaloosa, 10/14/08- Adult SUV driver killed Okaloosa, 10/14/08- Adult SUV driver killed when he ran into a school bus stopped to drop off when he ran into a school bus stopped to drop off studentsstudents

• Broward, 12/2/08- 35 year old male pedestrian Broward, 12/2/08- 35 year old male pedestrian killed when he was struck by a school bus killed when he was struck by a school bus reportedly turning leftreportedly turning left

Fatalities in 2008-09 (Fatalities in 2008-09 (requiring requiring school bus crash report to FDOEschool bus crash report to FDOE):):

• Pinellas, 1/14/09- High school student died 1/19/09 Pinellas, 1/14/09- High school student died 1/19/09 due to injuries from jumping out the emergency exit due to injuries from jumping out the emergency exit of his bus while it was traveling down the roadof his bus while it was traveling down the road

• Bay, 1/22/09- Adult male bicyclist killed when he Bay, 1/22/09- Adult male bicyclist killed when he pulled into the path of a school buspulled into the path of a school bus

• Levy, 3/31/09- Adult female Shands Hospital Levy, 3/31/09- Adult female Shands Hospital employee killed when her SUV rear-ended a legally employee killed when her SUV rear-ended a legally stopped school bus; infant daughter properly stopped school bus; infant daughter properly restrained in child seat minorly injuredrestrained in child seat minorly injured

Fatalities 2008-09 (other):Fatalities 2008-09 (other):

• Leon, 9/5/08- Ronshay Dugans, 8, died when her Leon, 9/5/08- Ronshay Dugans, 8, died when her Boys and Girls Club bus was struck by a concrete Boys and Girls Club bus was struck by a concrete trucktruck

• Hernando, 9/9/08- Kaitlyn Harper was hit by a car Hernando, 9/9/08- Kaitlyn Harper was hit by a car while walking to a school bus stop not assigned to while walking to a school bus stop not assigned to herher

• Indian River, 9/30/08, Jordan Miller, 15, was hit Indian River, 9/30/08, Jordan Miller, 15, was hit by a car while crossing to get to a bus stop not by a car while crossing to get to a bus stop not assigned to himassigned to him


• Brevard, 9/1/09- Pickup truck driver crossed Brevard, 9/1/09- Pickup truck driver crossed into path of bus, head-on; died 9/16/09into path of bus, head-on; died 9/16/09

• Escambia, 9/14/09- Teen driver ran stop sign Escambia, 9/14/09- Teen driver ran stop sign and was hit by bus; died next dayand was hit by bus; died next day

• Clay, 9/29/09- Teen driver and adult rear-Clay, 9/29/09- Teen driver and adult rear-ended bus stopped to turn left; both diedended bus stopped to turn left; both died

• Palm Beach, 10/5/09- Adult male pedestrian Palm Beach, 10/5/09- Adult male pedestrian allegedly jaywalking and died when hit by busallegedly jaywalking and died when hit by bus


• Highlands, 10/29/09- Motorcyclist crashed Highlands, 10/29/09- Motorcyclist crashed into bus in foggy weather and diedinto bus in foggy weather and died

• Lee, 11/23/09- Motorist killed in early Lee, 11/23/09- Motorist killed in early morning crash into school busmorning crash into school bus

• Lee, 12/3/09- Adult driver and passenger of Lee, 12/3/09- Adult driver and passenger of Honda Civic killed when the car veered into Honda Civic killed when the car veered into the path of a busthe path of a bus

Fatalities 2009-10 (other):Fatalities 2009-10 (other):

• Bay, 10/28/09- Brother and sister hit by car while Bay, 10/28/09- Brother and sister hit by car while crossing to get to bus stop before bus arrived; the crossing to get to bus stop before bus arrived; the six-year old was killedsix-year old was killed

• Pinellas, 12/18/09- Teen girl killed by motorist Pinellas, 12/18/09- Teen girl killed by motorist while crossing busy intersection against light to while crossing busy intersection against light to get to nearby stopped school busget to nearby stopped school bus

• Polk, 12/22/09- Teen student struck and killed by Polk, 12/22/09- Teen student struck and killed by teen driver while walking home from schoolteen driver while walking home from school

Crash Reporting Reminders:Crash Reporting Reminders:

• Reporting threshold is $1,000, started 07-08Reporting threshold is $1,000, started 07-08• DOE is continuing to require that districts DOE is continuing to require that districts

reconcile district-reported numbers (DOE reconcile district-reported numbers (DOE system) with police reports (DHSMV system) with police reports (DHSMV system)system)

• DOE receives daily clippings from DOE receives daily clippings from DHSMV of ALL fatal crashes in FloridaDHSMV of ALL fatal crashes in Florida

FATAL Crash Reporting FATAL Crash Reporting

• Districts Districts must providemust provide immediate notice of immediate notice of any fatal crash to FDOE as soon as practicalany fatal crash to FDOE as soon as practical

• Report by phone call and/or e-mailReport by phone call and/or e-mail• Helps district and FDOE answer immediate Helps district and FDOE answer immediate

questions from administrators, mediaquestions from administrators, media• Info is Info is alwaysalways treated as preliminary treated as preliminary • Not meant as substitute for regular FDOE and Not meant as substitute for regular FDOE and

police crash reportingpolice crash reporting

Hazardous WalkingHazardous Walking

• Districts must now include location code on Districts must now include location code on each student record if reported in each student record if reported in Hazardous categoryHazardous category

• Districts must update their inspections and Districts must update their inspections and documentation (determinations of HW documentation (determinations of HW locations) each five yearslocations) each five years

Parent-Student Safety Parent-Student Safety InstructionsInstructions

• Safety instructions must be provided Safety instructions must be provided annually, in writing, as required by Rule annually, in writing, as required by Rule 6A-3.01216A-3.0121

• DOE’s “Are We There Yet?” brochure can DOE’s “Are We There Yet?” brochure can be printed for parents and othersbe printed for parents and others

• Available at Available at www.FAPTFlorida.orgwww.FAPTFlorida.org, under , under the the Manuals and PublicationsManuals and Publications link link

Charter SchoolsCharter Schools

• Now almost 400 in Florida; continuing to growNow almost 400 in Florida; continuing to grow• Districts must ensure charter schools are following Districts must ensure charter schools are following

laws and rules relating to health and safetylaws and rules relating to health and safety• Charter schools are included in FDOE monitoring Charter schools are included in FDOE monitoring

of districtsof districts• FAPT Statutes/Rules Committee considering FAPT Statutes/Rules Committee considering

recommendation to “disaggregate” Average Bus recommendation to “disaggregate” Average Bus Occupancy for charter schools from district FEFP Occupancy for charter schools from district FEFP reportingreporting

Issues on the National Radar Issues on the National Radar • NTSB- NTSB-

• Milton, FL crash; bus rolled twice; injuries mitigated Milton, FL crash; bus rolled twice; injuries mitigated by use of lap beltsby use of lap belts

• Huntsville, AL; driver not wearing belt; NTSB did Huntsville, AL; driver not wearing belt; NTSB did not specifically cite lack of driver belt as cause, but not specifically cite lack of driver belt as cause, but many believe it wasmany believe it was

• SIR on Pedal Misapplication; NTSB recommending SIR on Pedal Misapplication; NTSB recommending training for drivers, event data recorders, measures to training for drivers, event data recorders, measures to separate students from bus traffic at schoolsseparate students from bus traffic at schools

• Motorcoaches- NTSB cited fatigue, faulty Motorcoaches- NTSB cited fatigue, faulty maintenance in several crashesmaintenance in several crashes

Public Transit and FTA Rulemaking Public Transit and FTA Rulemaking

• Allowable for student transportation in FLAllowable for student transportation in FL• FTA proposed rulemaking that would prohibit FTA proposed rulemaking that would prohibit

public transit routes that exclusively serve public public transit routes that exclusively serve public school studentsschool students

• Significant opposition to NPRM from transit Significant opposition to NPRM from transit agencies and some schoolsagencies and some schools

• School bus associations (NSTA, NAPT, School bus associations (NSTA, NAPT, NASDPTS) supported FTANASDPTS) supported FTA

• FTA withdrew rule June 26, 2009; probably to FTA withdrew rule June 26, 2009; probably to allow new administration to reviewallow new administration to review

Driver Compliance and LiabilityDriver Compliance and Liability

• Seat belt useSeat belt use• Cell phone prohibitionCell phone prohibition• Idling restrictionIdling restriction• Unauthorized stop locationsUnauthorized stop locations• Mirror adjustmentMirror adjustment• Others???Others???

Employee Criminal Background Employee Criminal Background ChecksChecks

• Still required upon employmentStill required upon employment• Required every five yearsRequired every five years• June 2009 was five years from passage of June 2009 was five years from passage of

requirement to reviewrequirement to review• Required for contractors who are on school Required for contractors who are on school

property; includes charter bus driversproperty; includes charter bus drivers

Driver Physical ExamsDriver Physical Exams

• Physical form (ESE 479) now allows 13 Physical form (ESE 479) now allows 13 month interval for dexterity testing, per month interval for dexterity testing, per FAPT requestsFAPT requests

• ESE 479 now has an “effective date” and ESE 479 now has an “effective date” and no expiration dateno expiration date

Federal FundingFederal Funding

• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“Stimulus Bill”)- Billions for public transit; (“Stimulus Bill”)- Billions for public transit; virtually none for school bus transportationvirtually none for school bus transportation

• Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)- Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)- $300 million; may be used for emissions $300 million; may be used for emissions reducing retrofits; limited bus replacementreducing retrofits; limited bus replacement

Federal FundingFederal Funding

• Highway Bill Reauthorization- SAFETEA-Highway Bill Reauthorization- SAFETEA-LU has expired, now under continuing LU has expired, now under continuing resolutionresolution

• Highway trust fund depleted; Congress Highway trust fund depleted; Congress grappling with revenue replacementgrappling with revenue replacement

• Safe Routes to School Reauthorization- Safe Routes to School Reauthorization- NASDPTS has supported allowing SRTS NASDPTS has supported allowing SRTS funds for students walking to/from bus stopsfunds for students walking to/from bus stops

FMCSA CDL RulesFMCSA CDL Rules

• National Registry of Certified Medical National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners proposed ruleExaminers proposed rule

• Physicals as part of CDL- Final Rule; must Physicals as part of CDL- Final Rule; must be implemented by Jan. 2012be implemented by Jan. 2012

• Preservice Training Proposed Rule- Would Preservice Training Proposed Rule- Would require 90 hours preservice training by require 90 hours preservice training by accredited school to obtain CDL; actively accredited school to obtain CDL; actively opposed by NASDPTS, NSTA; probably on opposed by NASDPTS, NSTA; probably on back burner for now back burner for now

Transportation SecurityTransportation Security

• School Bus Watch- was revamped, re-School Bus Watch- was revamped, re-launched as School Bus First Observer)launched as School Bus First Observer)

• School Transportation Security Awareness (School Transportation Security Awareness (www.STSATrain.comwww.STSATrain.com))

• 9/11 Commission Act of 2007- Required 9/11 Commission Act of 2007- Required TSA to conduct security assessments in TSA to conduct security assessments in student transportation and report to student transportation and report to Congress by July 1, 2008; still waiting for Congress by July 1, 2008; still waiting for approvalapproval

Transportation SecurityTransportation Security

• TSA Highway and Motor Carriers (HMC) TSA Highway and Motor Carriers (HMC) office performing voluntary Corporate office performing voluntary Corporate Security ReviewsSecurity Reviews

• HMC is also conducting transportation HMC is also conducting transportation security exercises around US involving security exercises around US involving mock school transportation security mock school transportation security incidentsincidents

School Bus EvacuationSchool Bus Evacuation

• NHTSA has developed new driver inservice NHTSA has developed new driver inservice module on bus evacuationmodule on bus evacuation

• State Board rule requires evac instructions for State Board rule requires evac instructions for all passengers before every field/activity tripall passengers before every field/activity trip

• FDOE has a suggested “script” from PolkFDOE has a suggested “script” from Polk• Evacuation procedures continue to be priority Evacuation procedures continue to be priority

for all students, including ESEfor all students, including ESE• NTSB recommendations support as priorityNTSB recommendations support as priority

NHTSA ActivitiesNHTSA Activities

• NHTSA is developing Safe School Bus Stop NHTSA is developing Safe School Bus Stop Selection guideSelection guide

• Updated driver inservice training modules, Updated driver inservice training modules, including new evacuation moduleincluding new evacuation module

• Aggressively pursuing school bus defects and Aggressively pursuing school bus defects and requiring safety recalls when warrantedrequiring safety recalls when warranted

• Districts should continue to contact FDOE Districts should continue to contact FDOE when they find potential safety defects on when they find potential safety defects on busesbuses

National Congress on School National Congress on School Transportation, May 16-19, 2010Transportation, May 16-19, 2010

• Purpose is to update the National School Purpose is to update the National School Transportation Specifications and ProceduresTransportation Specifications and Procedures

• Writing committees have drafted revisionsWriting committees have drafted revisions• Florida’s delegation: Mike Connors, Greg Florida’s delegation: Mike Connors, Greg

Akin, Fred Murphy, Jerry Klein, Tad Akin, Fred Murphy, Jerry Klein, Tad Kledzik, Charlie Hood, TBAKledzik, Charlie Hood, TBA

• NSTSP, draft revisions, and other info at NSTSP, draft revisions, and other info at www.NCSTOnline.orgwww.NCSTOnline.org

Awards and ScholarshipsAwards and Scholarships

• SESPTC- Awarding two $1,000 scholarships SESPTC- Awarding two $1,000 scholarships again this year for 2010-11 college expenses again this year for 2010-11 college expenses of two graduating high school seniors; parent of two graduating high school seniors; parent or legal guardian must be Florida public or legal guardian must be Florida public school transportation employee meeting school transportation employee meeting income criteria (max $75K AGI)income criteria (max $75K AGI)

• School Bus Operator of the Year- FAPT and School Bus Operator of the Year- FAPT and Florida Missing Children’s DayFlorida Missing Children’s Day

FDLE Missing Children’s IssuesFDLE Missing Children’s Issues

• All persons encouraged to sign up to receive All persons encouraged to sign up to receive Amber AlertsAmber Alerts

• Parents and others can sign up to receive Parents and others can sign up to receive notifications when sexual offenders and notifications when sexual offenders and predators move within proximity of homespredators move within proximity of homes

• Districts are encouraged to continue training Districts are encouraged to continue training drivers to report suspicious incidents and to drivers to report suspicious incidents and to have a system for notifying drivers of have a system for notifying drivers of offenders’ addresses offenders’ addresses

NHTSA Rulemaking on Occupant NHTSA Rulemaking on Occupant ProtectionProtection

• Final Rule adopted October 21, 2008Final Rule adopted October 21, 2008• Rule requires:Rule requires:

• ““High back” seats in all new buses starting High back” seats in all new buses starting 10/21/09 (already required in Florida)10/21/09 (already required in Florida)

• Lap/shoulder belts 10/21/11 in small buses Lap/shoulder belts 10/21/11 in small buses (already required in Florida)(already required in Florida)

NHTSA Final Rule:NHTSA Final Rule:• Requires automatic seat bottom latching devices for Requires automatic seat bottom latching devices for

any seat that flips up or is removable (new buses, any seat that flips up or is removable (new buses, effective 10/21/09)effective 10/21/09)

• Establishes test standards and protocols for lap and Establishes test standards and protocols for lap and lap/shoulder (L/S) belts in small and large buseslap/shoulder (L/S) belts in small and large buses

• Continues to allow lap belts in states that chooseContinues to allow lap belts in states that choose• Encourages (doesn’t require) states to use L/S beltsEncourages (doesn’t require) states to use L/S belts• Reaffirms that states may use 402 funds for costsReaffirms that states may use 402 funds for costs

Links:Links:

• www.flrules.org/default.aspwww.flrules.org/default.asp• www.leg.state.fl.uswww.leg.state.fl.us• www.fldoe.org/transportationwww.fldoe.org/transportation• www.FAPTFlorida.orgwww.FAPTFlorida.org

FAPT Website and ListServeFAPT Website and ListServe

• www.FAPTFlorida.orgwww.FAPTFlorida.org • Calendar of EventsCalendar of Events• [email protected]@faptflorida.org- Use this address - Use this address

if you want to send email to all FAPT if you want to send email to all FAPT General MembersGeneral Members

• [email protected]@faptflorida.org- for FAPT - for FAPT Supplier MembersSupplier Members

National AssociationsNational Associations• www.AmericanSchoolBusCouncil.orgwww.AmericanSchoolBusCouncil.org-- --

ASBC coordinates public information from ASBC coordinates public information from NASDPTS, NAPT, NSTA, and the big three NASDPTS, NAPT, NSTA, and the big three school bus manufacturers; e.g., positions on school bus manufacturers; e.g., positions on cell phone usage and other guidancecell phone usage and other guidance

• www.NASDPTS.orgwww.NASDPTS.org• www.NAPT.orgwww.NAPT.org• www.yellowbuses.org (NSTA)www.yellowbuses.org (NSTA)

Questions and Comments?Questions and Comments?

www.fldoe.orgwww.fldoe.org/transportation/[email protected]@fldoe.org or [email protected]@fldoe.org

2010 state of the state: a lean, green safety machine! presented to fapt mid-year transportation...

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