The North Carolina Pupil Transportation Association (PTA) recently hosted its annual “road-e-o.” The champions of local school bus driver skills competitions met at the state fairgrounds on Thursday, June 4, to compete with other drivers from all over the state.
Drivers had to complete eight driving maneuvers as well as a written test. Drivers with the highest scores averaged from the written and driving tests will be sent to represent North Carolina at the International School Bus Driver Safety Competition in Austin, Texas.
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Ensuring the competition ran smoothly was Melvin Davis, chair of the event’s planning committee. Davis is also the area bus coordinator for Johnston County Public Schools.
Davis said the event was an opportunity to showcase the bus drivers in a positive light. The PTA also wanted to make sure they promoted another message — safety.
“I asked our community and motorists at large; when they see a school bus, please be courteous and respectful to it,” Davis said. “I know the initial reaction is, ‘I need to beat that bus,’ but it’s a lot harder for that driver to stop that vehicle when it’s moving with those extra kids.”
Before the event started, the drivers were given a walkthrough of each obstacle while on the fairgrounds. The PTA said the purpose of performing the maneuvers required of each obstacle is to ensure drivers can handle school buses proficiently in various conditions. You can see each obstacle in the pictures below.
Maneuver #1: Diminishing clearance
The first obstacle tested the ability of drivers to take the school bus through diminishing clearance while driving in a smooth continuous line.
Maneuver #2: Stop line
The next obstacle tested the driver’s depth perception and ability to bring the bus to a smooth stop.
Throughout the walkthrough, drivers had several questions and concerns about the way things were scored at the state level compared to their district competitons.
Maneuver #3: Parallel parking
Judges observed drivers’ ability to parallel park the school bus along a jump rope used as a makeshift curb. Drivers would lose points if they did not signal or if the tire touched the curb.
Maneuver #4: Straight line
The object of this obstacle is self-explanatory. Competitors just referred to this obstacle as “tennis balls.”
Manuever #5: Backup
Based on observation and commentary from judges, this maneuver was one of the hardest for the competitors to complete. Drivers would automatically fail this portion if their wheel touched the grass.
Manuever #6: Railroad crossing
Judges weren’t concerned about competitors passing this maneuver — unless they’ve been dropping students off at railroad crossings.
Manuever #7: Offset alley
Judges looked at the driver’s ability to navigate through two offset lanes without touching the boundaries.
Maneuver #8: Right turn
Finally, cones were laid out in a crescent to serve as a curb to test drivers’ right turns.
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Many of the drivers in attendance said they like the spirit of competition. Monica Hauser, a school bus driver in Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS), said she also enjoys the fellowship.
“(I like) seeing drivers from different counties that we might not get to see on a regular basis. We don’t get to get together that much and I learn something every time I come (to the competition),” Hauser said.
After announcements and acknowledgements, the top four drivers were recognized.
Two of the drivers were from WCPSS.
“I feel great doing it, because it’s something that I do for the community,” Jorge Ubior, the first place winner from WCPSS said.
The other top drivers were recognized as follows: Clay Fogleman of WCPSS, Chris Owens of Sampson County Schools, and Laura Gillespie of Richmond County Schools.
Kevin Harrison, section chief of transportation services at the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), said that it may be easy to forget how important the role of a bus driver is when it comes to education.
“You serve as a critical component to the school system, oftentimes not as recognized as we would like, and this event is a good way to show off the skill set you possess,” Harrison said to the drivers.
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