Ban on Cell Phone Usage

NTSB Vice Chairman testifies on nationwide ban on driver cell-phone use.

February 10, 2012

WASHINGTON- In December 2011, following a Board meeting on a 2010 multi-vehicle highway accident in Gray Summit, Missouri, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for the first-ever nationwide ban on driver use of portable electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. Following the meeting, Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said, "It's time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving." (See HAR1103.pdf)

On Monday, February 13, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. (EST), NTSB Vice Chairman Christopher Hart will testify before the New York State Senate Committee on Transportation on the NTSB's cell- phone ban recommendation.

"In the last decade, the NTSB has identified the use of a portable electronic device as a factor in the probable cause of eight accidents and incidents across all transportation modes. Forty-six people died and 181 were injured in these events," said Vice Chairman Hart. "In light of this and the growing penetration of portable electronic devices in the United States, the NTSB is concerned and believes that now is the time to act to preserve safety for everyone on our roadways."

The NTSB did not come to this recommendation lightly. It has noted distracted operations in its aviation, rail, highway, and marine accident investigations for almost 10 years, and distraction has been a continuously growing concern. Before issuing the recommendation, the NTSB carefully considered accident statistics and research on the issue of distracted driving. While the specific statistics and findings may differ among studies, the ultimate conclusion is the same: talking or texting while driving-even on a hands-free device-distracts the driver from the driving task, increasing the risk of an accident.

For additional information about the NTSB's recommendations on portable electronic devices, please visit go.usa.gov/Q1c or
safetycompass.wordpress.com/category/distraction

The hearing will be held in the Van Buren Hearing Room A, Legislative Office Building, 2nd Floor, Albany, New York, and can be viewed via live stream at: go.usa.gov/nM5

NTSB Media Contact: Nicholas Worrell

Love the Bus Event a Huge Success!

 Students and teachers celebrated the men and women from the district 726 Primary School that takemore than 175 riders safely to and from schools in Becker each day as part of the fourth annual National Love the Bus program yesterday.

The principal, teachers and students of Becker Primary School, along with Telin Transportation Group (Lakeville) participated in events to honor their bus drivers, learn about bus safety and take part in the national, Love the Bus Program. Students had the opportunity to learn about bus safety and create Valentines for their drivers. The highlight of the day for the kids was to be able to write their names, and (or) draw a picture about what the yellow school bus means to them. As the students left for the day, they were able to present handmade valentines to their driver.

Drivers were honored with certificates of appreciation and sported "Love the Bus" T-shirts to celebrate the day.

The Love the Bus program, founded in 2007 and coordinated by the American School Bus Council (ASBC), is celebrated on Valentine’s Day and throughout February in school districts across the country as a way to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport more than 26 million school children to and from school each day. It is also an opportunity for parents and children to learn more about the safety and environmental benefits of school bus transportation.

“We want to honor the bus drivers that safely take children to school each day,” said Todd Telin. “Love the Bus” is a great opportunity to thank the people that protect our most precious cargo—our children—and serve as role models on the 480,000 school buses that transport children to and from school each day across the country.”

2012 School Bus Driver of the Year Essay Contest

Click below to learn how to enter.

Thomas Built Buses Steps Up Production Levels and Staffing

Feb 08, 2012

High Point, N.C. – Thomas Built Buses today announced plans for another step up in production levels and staffing, in response to significant orders for its Saf-T-Liner® C2 school bus products from the state of North Carolina and other customers. Planned production and workforce changes were shared with employees at all Thomas Built facilities on January 19. A total of 50 new line positions were posted in January, since the recall list has now been exhausted due to recent ramp-up activity and rehiring. Information on the new positions can be found on dtna.jobs.

"We are delighted with the positive response of the state of North Carolina to our recent bid, and honored to be considered the preferred choice for the state's school districts. Customers are recognizing the value and quality of our products as they focus on the total cost of ownership in today's challenging environment," said Kelley Platt, president and CEO, Thomas Built Buses. "We look forward to welcoming our new employees to the Thomas Built family."

About Thomas Built Buses

Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America. Learn more at www.thomasbus.com or at http://www.facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, N.C., is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 4-8 vehicles. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.      

2012 Reuben Youngerberg Memorial Biodiesel Essay Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all Minnesota high school seniors. It is given in memory of Reuben Youngerberg, and in honor of his son, Mike Youngerberg, senior director of field services at Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and huge supporter of biodiesel. Sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, with special thanks to the National Biodiesel Board, MEG Corp, and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. for their support of this scholarship.

To submit your essay for the 2012 scholarship online, please fill out the form below. Please do not place your name or high school name anywhere on the essay you submit to ensure fairness of judging.

Please review the Biodiesel Essay Scholarship Contest Rules before submitting your application.

If you prefer to submit your essay via US Mail or FAX, please download/print and complete the 2012 Entry Form.

Ask a trooper: Why not seatbelts in school buses?

Click the link below to view the full story.

Tue Sep 27, 2011, 02:48 PM CDT

http://mankatofreepress.com/communityindex/x1173958125/Ask-a-trooper-Why-not-seatbelts-in-school-buses

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