CMS school bus crashes down compared to last year

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By Gina Esposito

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New numbers from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools show crashes involving school buses were down this semester.

There were 272 accidents from July 1, 2017 to Dec. 19, 2017. That’s compared to 153 crashes between July 1, 2018 to Dec. 19, 2018. That’s a 44 percent decrease.

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Channel 9 has covered several crashes involving school buses. On Tuesday, there was a crash with 52 students on board. There was another crash earlier this year that involved a bus that had landed in a ditch after the driver swerved to avoid a deer in Huntersville.

Heather Sawyers has two children who ride the bus to school every day. She said this is wonderful news. “That's really great to hear because as parents we put a lot of faith in our drivers to get them to and from," Sawyers said.

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Executive director of transportation for CMS, Adam Johnson, said slight changes may have played a role in the decrease in crashes.

“Our drivers are definitely more aware of defensive driving habits,” said Johnson.

In the past few months, Johnson said drivers got a pay raise and the district filled more positions.

“As we were able to bring in more drivers to fill the vacancies, they don’t feel as rushed,” said Johnson.

He said drivers have also been checking special lug reminders on the bus tires after a wheel rolled off in the middle of a route last fall. He said the reminder lets drivers know if the lugs are tight and secure on the bus.

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“We haven't had anything major this year. Without any kind of injuries or sign damage to the vehicles. A lot of them are minor fender benders that we see each day,” Johnson added. “It really takes all of us to make this happen and to safety move 100,000 kids twice a day,”

Johnson said the bus drivers involved in crashes are drug tested and get more training before they can get back on the roads. He said he expects to be fully staffed in January and crews will be doing maintenance on the buses over the winter break.

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