Back-seat Driving after Twilight Trial

Better late than never—that is why, I decided to learn driving in the twilight of my life (70 to be precise) that I took the plunge. I had been riding two-wheelers for the past 30 years, however.
On Day 1 at the driving school, I was literally trembling as I sat on the driver’s seat.
My “teacher”—reverently called Asan (master) by everybody—was sitting on the front seat beside me. He looked into my eyes and asked me to pray, as if God alone could save me. I heaved a sigh of relief when I realised he had a duplicate brake, clutch and accelerator that he could act on in an emergency.
I started the engine. “Press the clutch pedal,” Asan ordered. First gear...second... and now third... gently press the accelerator.” I obeyed his commands and everything went off fine.
Day 2 was quite eventful. It was 4pm. Girls were coming out from their schools in groups. Our car was just in front of the gate. Unmindful of the learner’s L pasted on the windshield, two girls crossed the road. “Brake!” Asan’s shout was followed by a curse in Malayalam that I wouldn’t like to translate. I am sure it was intended for me, because instead of pressing the brake pedal, my foot was on the accelerator.
Asan applied his “duplicate” in the nick of time, else the next day’s papers would have carried the tragic news “Schoolgirls die in accident, satirist J Philipose Thiruvalla arrested.”
Without any other serious mishap I successfully or rather unsuccessfully completed the classes. Asan somehow managed to get a driving licence for me. God alone knows how!
It was the wedding day of a close relative’s son at Kumbanad, around 12km from our place.
Our Maruti Alto was in our car shed; the driving licence issued by Kerala’s motor vehicles department was in my pocket. But my wife was not confident and she suggested a taxi. “What a shame!” I shouted. Being a male chauvinist I brushed aside her objections and decided to drive. My “confidence” didn’t allow me to exceed speeds of 20-25kmph.
Whenever cyclists overtook our car, I could hear chuckles from the back seat where my wife and daughter-in-law were.
We had almost reached our destination when a small stray dog crossed the road without any prior hint. As usual I pressed the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and the inevitable happened. My wife and daughter-in-law screamed seeing the martyr lying on the road bathed in blood. “No driver could ever save a dog bent upon committing suicide,” I murmured. Thankfully, only an insignificant mishap followed after this when a maternal uncle of the bridegroom was hit by my car when I was reversing it.
Next day, the honourable family court read out the judgment—no more driving by Appa on the roads. If he is very particular, he can drive in our spacious courtyard. Nowadays, whenever our neighbour’s driver takes us for a wedding, a funeral or some other event in our car, I sit on the back seat giving directions. After all, I am the “Muthalaly”, the Master, and not the driver.

Greasing the wheels at driving school

Like many young adults across the world, Harold Chen could hardly wait to get his driving licence. But the bubble of excitement quickly popped when test time came.
Chen, a 22-year-old Guangzhou resident, was taking the exam with three women. Two of them asked their driving instructor whether paying a 2,000 yuan (HK$2,530) bribe to the city invigilator could guarantee they would pass. They were told it might.
"Two girls who took the test with me offered him the money, and he let them pass after they started driving for one minute," he told the South China Morning Post. Chen didn't offer a bribe and failed the exam after about five minutes.
Chen's frustration is common among driving students on the mainland, where the system for obtaining a permit is not only long - it can take several years in some cases - but riddled with graft.
Driving schools press students for bribes, and the schools in turn bribe city officials to ensure the permits are awarded, according to Fan Li, deputy director of the drivers' committee of the China Road Transport Association, an industry non-profit group.
A vehicle management department in Shijiazhuang , Hebei province, was recently found to have taken 1.81 million yuan in bribes from 40 driving schools. In February last year, more than 40 police officers at a department in Zhanjiang in Guangdong were fired for taking bribes from learner drivers. The corruption is the result of too many people chasing too few licences. There are more than 300 million drivers plying mainland roads, according to official figures released Thursday, and the number is expected to grow by 20 million a year for the next 10 years, authorities say.
On the mainland, driving permits fall under the purview of the Ministry of Public Security, and they are issued through municipal-level vehicle management departments.
Fan said that as a way to control the number of vehicles on the roads, many cities had limited the number of people who could sit the exam and the overall pass rate.
To enlarge their quota, driving schools bribed the vehicle management departments and then charged students a "guarantee pass fee", ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand yuan, Fan said. That's on top of the tuition fee, which in big cities like Guangzhou can run to about 6,000 yuan.
"Whichever [driving school] can send money to a department and maintain good relations with it will be the one whose students pass the exam," Fan said.
Apart from the arbitrary charges, the long wait time for training and sitting the exam angers many would-be drivers, and the situation is worse in big cities, where the rush for permits is greatest.
Under existing rules, applicants must complete a minimum of 78 hours of training at a driving school before they can take the exam, which comprises four parts covering theory and driving.
It can take an applicant anywhere from a few months to more than two years to complete the process, depending on the city. Retaking a portion of the exam can add several more months.
"I registered for the exam 2½ years ago and am still waiting to retake the road test. I needed to wait three to six months before taking each subject. Some people who registered around the same time as me even haven't passed the second test yet," Chen said.
To get around the backlog, some schools were bussing their students to cities in other provinces where the wait was shorter, an instructor with 12 years of experience in Guangzhou said. Cities in Guangxi , Jiangxi and Hunan were popular alternatives, the instructor said.
"In those provinces, 30 days after you pass the first theory test, you can take the remaining three tests three days in a row. Students only need to travel there twice and can get a licence in two months. It saves a lot of time."
Although faster, the out-of-town option deters some student drivers because it can add several thousand yuan to the overall cost.
To ensure the most number of students pass the exam in the shortest time, some driving schools are imposing "exam-focused education" - but that doesn't guarantee they learn the necessary skills to drive safely.
Some schools even provided "crash courses" that ignored the 78-hour training minimum required by law, said Tan Henglin, the director of the drivers' committee at the transport industry association.
One 23-year-old student in Beijing said he took part in one such course and got his licence in nine months.
"We didn't even have 50 hours of training time. My hours were about half of what is said in the rules," he said.
The authorities appear to be aware of the problems. On Monday, Huang Ming, the deputy minister of public security, announced possible reforms aimed at improving the quality of training and reducing corruption. Huang was short on specifics but it appears the idea is to encourage a greater role for independent instructors.
Learners will be able to register online for the exam and train on their own, although they will have to use a properly equipped instructor's vehicle. These can be bought by qualified drivers who have an instructor's licence.
Online registration might help limit the deal-making between the vehicle management departments and driving schools, Tan said. "The vehicle management departments hold the power … and they set the conditions for corruption," Tan said.

Get Adequate Experience By Automatic Driving Lessons Oldham

Driving lessons Oldham has benefitted many people all across the area. First of all, the service offered in extremely professional and top class. We will also assist you in obtaining the learner's license after the successful completion of your training module. We offer driving lessons in Oldham area. If you want the very finest Automatic Driving Lesson Oldham which is available on the market then there is no one better than Oldham. One of the leading driving instructors in world offers you the right kind of training in case if you are not sure about the kind of driving lessons you will get from numerous training schools throughout Oldham. They provide best service by having less amount because money value is more important so if you are here means you are at right place. Customer satisfaction is our first priority.

By selecting an Interested driving instructor training in Oldham for you, you will got a double benefit, you are providing yourself the best possible opportunity to successfully pass the examinations, and the best possible begin to your profession. Instructors at driving school for Automatic Driving Lessons Oldham have adequate experience in handling any kind of situation. You want to make sure that you're getting lessons from a top driving school to increase your chances of passing that all-important test. Learning to drive can be one of the biggest challenges that you're ever likely to face. The vast majority of the driving instructor industry is driven by recommendation.

Hop on the bus, Gus: Laurel schools pining for more bus drivers

Like many other Montana school districts, Laurel schools could use a few additional bus drivers. To help fix the problem, Laurel school administrators have come up with novel methods to add to their bus driver ranks.
They parked a school bus downtown with a sign indicating that new bus drivers will be trained to secure their commercial driver’s license and other needed endorsements.
Last week, they held a training event that included a talk about the need for drivers and a discussion on the rewards of driving a bus and helping students. After they were done indoors, school authorities gave participants the keys to assembled buses and told them to take the big yellow rigs out for a spin. They did so — but only in the parking lot, and under strict supervision.
So far, few new drivers have signed up, even though the district offers them training to secure needed licenses and endorsements. But Laurel School Superintendent Tim Bronk figures the more he talks about the need, the likelier it is that a driver or two will step forward.
“It’s fun to work with kids. I’d encourage people to consider it,” said Bronk, who himself has — as have other Laurel school administrators — taken to driving a school bus on occasion when needed.
This school year, the need is more acute than in past years, Bronk said. People who hold a commercial driver’s license can make much more money in the Bakken than they can driving a school bus, he said. Full-time drivers often work a split shift, early in the morning and then again after school. Trips can be long, late — and are sometimes punctuated by bad weather, student upheavals and the random deer crossing the road.
Then there are the requirements. Drivers must hold a CDL and a passenger endorsement. They must be certified with air brakes and hold cards that prove their first aid and CPR training. The district can train prospective drivers and help them acquire all the needed certification, Bronk said.
In Laurel, school bus drivers start at more than $13 per hour. They make a little less if they’re driving students to activities, since they get paid for the entire time they’re out — even for their time waiting during the game, performance or other activity.
The district has about 23 buses, with eight full-time drivers and a number of substitute drivers. One substitute driver’s life situation is illustrative: Bronk said one driver’s last day was Friday because she’s a snowbird who winters in Texas. “She’s a great driver,” Bronk said, and he’s hoping someone will fill in for her.
Schedulers try to be creative to make up for the shortage of drivers. A few routes have been combined. Laurel middle school wrestlers sometimes ride to meets with their counterparts from Columbus.
“We have been fortunate enough to juggle things around in order to get students to all their activities,” Bronk said. “We are OK so far, but we have had to double things up. If we could get four or five drivers, we’d be fine. But if we get just one person (as a result of the publicity), I’d be happy. There is opportunity here for someone who is interested.”
To learn more about school bus driver positions in Laurel, visit the district’s website, www.laurel.k12.mt.us/Page/1. Or call the district at 406-628-8623.

C.R. England Asks for Exemption from Driver-Trainer Rule

Refrigerated carrier C.R. England has asked federal regulators to exempt the company from a requirement that truck drivers with learning permits who have passed their commercial driver license skills test be accompanied by an experienced driver-trainer.
“C.R. England believes that the exemption, if granted, would allow such a driver to operate more freely and in a way that benefits the driver, the carrier, and the economy as a whole,” said the request for exemption, scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 29.
The Salt Lake City-based carrier, which partners with five driving schools, said the exemption would allow a learner permit holder to participate in a “revenue-producing trip” back to his or her state of domicile to obtain the CDL document.

“C.R. England advises that Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations is aware of the trucking industry’s need for qualified and well-trained drivers to meet increasing shipping demands,” the company said. “C.R. England believes that [the regulation] limits its ability to effectively and efficiently recruit, train and employ new entrants to the industry.”
The company said that prior to a regulatory change, states routinely issued temporary CDLs to drivers who passed the CDL skills test. The temporary CDL allowed carriers to route the new driver to his or her state of domicile to obtain a CDL and place the new driver into an on-the-job training position with a driver-trainer.

“The driver-trainer supervised and observed the new driver, but was not required to be on-duty and in the front seat at all times,” the company said. “Thus, the new driver became productive immediately, allowing more freight movement for C.R. England and compensation for the new driver.”

The most feasible option of driving at Bracknell

If you are beginner at driving and are looking to learn all about driving, driving lesson Bracknell will certainly help you. Even if you are an adult that has yet to learn how to drive, now is your time, to learn and finally get that independence you have been searching for. We have an exceptionally high pass rate so you can be confident that you're in good hands, but if for any reason you don't pass your test first time we'll offer you as many lessons as you need afterwards. Your driving lesson at Bracknell will be much more efficient if you work with a friendly and patient instructor.

Depending on the requirements, you can now opt from a wide range of courses from this driving school. Joining driving schools is the most feasible option if you want to acquire driving lessons Bracknell. Make a great deal in form of driving instructor training program. Driving lesson prices vary on depending on which instructor college you decide to take your lessons with, but if you were to give your nearest school a call they would be able to give you an accurate amount of how much lessons cost, but in the grand scheme of things. We'll get you up to test standard as quickly as possible and will help you at every step of the way, so for a top-quality driving school Bracknell make sure to get in touch and we'll get you on that road sooner than you ever imagined. We offer fantastic rates for driving courses at Bracknell you can save even more.

Audit reveals uncertified school bus drivers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —An audit of one of the bus companies serving Albuquerque Public Schools found that children were riding on a bus where the driver was not certified.

The audit by the New Mexico Public Education Department turned up some startling findings about the East Mountain Bus Company. According to the audit, seven randomly selected bus drivers were not certified to drive a school bus. Some drivers were not given drug tests either.
“This is our first try at getting into the bus business and as a result, it was kind of a rushed process,” APS Chief Operations Officer Ruben Hendrickson said.
APS took over the East Mountain Bus Company this year. The district said the switch happened last minute and wasn’t planned. It thought all the drivers were up to par.
“The fact that we did not go back on a timely basis, take care of all the administrative side of the business, I'm not all that surprised given the fact we were rushed the way we were,” Hendrickson said.
According to the audit, one driver gave up their commercial driver’s license in 2011. If that person was driving a school bus, that would violate state and federal law, creating a huge liability for APS.
The audit also found one driver was never trained and another never got CPR certification.
APS said it has since completed record and background checks on the drivers. The school district no longer owns the business.
Funding shortages are causing some contractors to get out of the business, so APS may have to get back into the busing business in the future.

Dangerous on the road: RTHS students get a lesson in drunk driving and texting while driving

RANTOUL — The Rantoul Township High School driver’s education program is taking a hands-on approach to teaching the dangers of drunk driving and texting while driving.
Driver’s ed teacher Chris Wagner, along with the help of School Resource Officer Kurtis Buckley, set up a small road course in the staff parking lot using orange traffic cones. Students then drove golf carts, on loan from Willow Pond Golf Course, along the course with goggles on that simulated alcohol-impaired vision or were asked to text a list of groceries to someone.
“It wasn’t really that bad (with the goggles), but it was kind of weird, especially because everything was green,” sophomore Skyler Banbury said. “The texting is really hard. I ran over like four cones while I was texting. I was just like, ‘I’m done. Never doing that.’”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10,322 people were killed due to drunk driving, and more than 421,000 people were injured because of distracted driving in 2012.
“Texting and driving is just so much more common, and every one of these students will have the opportunity to do that,” Wagner said. “Not all of them will take the opportunity to drink and drive, so it’s important they know just how dangerous texting and driving is.”
Wagner said the students performed worse when they were asked to text.
“They were all over the cones when they had to text. They were everywhere,” Wagner said. “They were actually a little worse texting than they were with the goggles, believe it or not.”
Wagner said texting may be worse because the driver has his or her eyes off the road.
“You have your eyes down when you’re texting,” he said. “When you’re impaired, the driver may still be looking up. Again, that is not to say that driving drunk is better, by any means. Neither one of them are good.”
Wagner said the students took the training seriously, even though it was “out of the norm” for them.
“When you put those goggles on, everything turns goofy,” he said. “It’s hard to judge exactly what they’re getting out of it, but at least they’re getting the experience. Hopefully, they’ll take it heart.”
Wagner was thankful to all who helped with the new training.

“It was a big effort,” Wagner said. “We had a number of teachers come out and help. It was cool to see such a big effort for something like this.”

Professional Driving School Wokingham

At a distinguished driving school you would suffer training in theory where you would develop sound knowledge of these rules. Strong theoretical intellect adds to your confidence when you actually driving. Obtain expert advice when you are in doubt. This is the advantages of having an expert instructor Wokingham sitting by your side in the driving lessons Wokingham training duration. 

Whenever you’ve any confusion or doubt about managing the car they would aid you out. This frequently is not probable when you’re learning it from a colleague or friend. Instructors are even quick to spot nasty habits in your driving and would make sure you develop the correct driving tactics. Pacing it up slowly but gradually- For a novice driver it’s very essential that the training is paced up gradually. This is where expert schools give you the edge over others who do not attend these schools. They would ensue a well-organized lesson that would successively raise your challenges on road. This raises your confidence vastly and aids you overcome any type of fear that you may have in your brain. You can deal with an emergency. The reputed institute would teach you the art of pro-active or defensive driving which aids in dealing with emergency conditions on the road and avoiding collisions. Here driving lesson Wokingham would make you more conscious of the situations on road and train you techniques to bring your car to a halt.

Franklin Co. school bus driver arrested for DWI, blows .10

LOUISBURG, N.C. - A Franklin County Schools bus driver was arrested Thursday morning on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.
School officials said Barbara Thorne has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
Louisburg Police Chief Rick Lassiter said police were alerted by an assistant principal at the school who reported smelling alcohol on Thorne's breath around 10:30 a.m. when she arrived at Terrell Lane Middle School Thursday morning with a bus full of students.
Lassiter said a Louisburg police officer determined there was probable cause that Thorne was under the influence of alcohol. Thorne was given a breathalyzer test about an hour and a half after the principal first smelled the alcohol. She blew a .10 at the time.
Lassiter said Thorne was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond and her license has been taken away. She is scheduled to appear in court on January 6th.
The Franklin County School District released a statement saying, "The safety and well-being of our students is Franklin County Schools' first priority and we will continue to strive for excellence in all facets of our community. School officials work tirelessly to ensure the continued safety of every student - incidents such as this do not represent the dedication and integrity of Franklin County Schools' faculty and staff."
All students on board bus number 196 were OK.
One parent with children at the school, Linda Hayes, was stunned by the events.
"Kids are precious cargo," she said. "You should think about that. ... You've got lives at stake."
The state requires all school bus drivers to have a valid commercial drivers license. However drivers will lose their CDL for one year if they operate a commercial vehicle with a BAC of .04 or more. For a second offense, the driver will lose their CDL permanently.
WNCN checked with the Wake County Public School System for its policies on school bus drivers. The system has 850 full-time drivers and 50 part-time. Drivers must:

• Be 18 years old.
• Possess a valid NC driver's license.
• Have had a valid driver's license for a minimum of two years.
• Have a clean driving record in the past 12 months:
• Have no conviction of any moving violation
• Have no pending charge of any moving violation
• Have more than one charge of any moving violation, regardless of disposition within past 60 months

The Durham Public Schools said it employs approximately 291 bus drivers who are required to go through a pre-employment screening process that includes:

• DMV drivers license record check to determine eligibility
• Criminal Record Check performed by human resources
• Pre-employment drug testing
• DMV Driver Certification Class, which includes classroom training and behind-the-wheel training
• Employment packet with a list of references

Cumberland County Schools said it employs about 550 drivers who must attend a three-day CDL class taught by the Division of Motor Vehicles that includes three days of on-road training with a DMV instructor.
CCS further said human resources conducts a background check on its eligible drivers, including a driving record check by both the Transportation Department and the DMV.
Copyright 2014 WNCN. All rights reserved.

Alameda High School Wins $25,000 Grant for Teen Driver Safety Efforts

Celebrate My Drive, powered by State Farm, is pleased to announce Alameda High School is one of 100 winning high schools, earning a $25,000 grant. They were among 3,283 registered high schools who participated in this year’s program. Students, parents, administrators and the entire community rallied in support of teen drivers, making online safe driving commitments, helping the Hornets reach their goal.
Crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and the first year behind the wheel is the most dangerous. Celebrate My Drive is an opportunity to celebrate new drivers, focusing on the freedom, but also the responsibility, that comes with earning a driver’s license. It’s a chance for teens and their high schools to amplify conversations about this important topic and help be part of the solution.
“State Farm is proud of Alameda High School’s efforts to generate excitement among students, faculty and the entire community to make safe driving commitments and have positive conversations about teen driver safety,” said State Farm Agent Kelly Lux. “We appreciate all of the wonderful support of the program to help reduce teen crashes and save lives.”
Alameda High School is required to invest 10 percent of the grant award on a teen driver safety program for students. The school may choose how to use the remaining funds.A complete list of the 100 winning high schools will be available on www.celebratemydrive.com on Dec. 15.
Information submitted by State Farm
Photo via Shutterstock

Driving Lesson Truro- The Biggest opportunity At Location

Driving instructors, program help people learn the rules of the road and how to drive safely. By selecting an Interested driving instructor training in Truro for you, you will get a double benefit, you are providing yourself the best possible opportunity to successfully pass the examinations, and the best possible begin to your profession. To drive in Truro, which is governed by the law, you will need to have a valid driving license, for which you need to pass theoretical and practical exams, and for that you need to take driving lesson Truro. They provide better service by having fewer amounts because money value is more important so if you are here means you are at right place.


The vast majority of the driving instructor industry is driven by recommendation. Many of my colleagues in the local area hardly do any advertising because their reputation is good enough to win them enough business to keep them busy. Driving lessons Truro has benefitted many people all across the area. First of all, the service offered in extremely professional and top class. The instructors will pick up you from your place or place which is more convenient. Customer satisfaction is their first priority. Have the advantage of enrolling for a cheap driving lesson at Truro driving school is affordability. To achieve this objective, it is extremely important to acquire a driving license. Truro has a handful of driving schools where you can learn driving before applying for a driving license to drive in Truro.

Franklin County bus driver accused of DWI while taking students to school

LOUISBURG, N.C. (WTVD) --

Police have charged a Franklin County school bus driver with DWI while driving students.

The school district said 63-year-old Barbara Thorne was carrying 40 students to Terrell Lane Middle School in Louisburg Thursday morning and was arrested after she completed her run.

No students were hurt.

Louisburg police said an assistant principal smelled alcohol on Thorne's breath while talking to her and contacted a school resource officer. The officer found there was probable cause that Thorne was under the influence of alcohol.

A breathalyzer test revealed a blood-alcohol level of .10. The legal limit in North Carolina is .08.

Police are investigating the incident, working to find out whether bus 196 was equipped with cameras or GPS that may help determine how far Thorne traveled with the students and the route she took.

"I have to give praise to the Franklin County School System," said Louisburg Police Chief Rick Lassiter. "They do not tolerate any misbehavior by a bus driver."

Bond was set at $1,000. Thorne was put on paid administrative leave pending further investigation by the school district.

"The safety and well-being of our students is Franklin County Schools' first priority and we will continue to strive for excellence in all facets of our community. School officials work tirelessly to ensure the continued safety of every student - incidents such as this do not represent the dedication and integrity of Franklin County Schools' faculty and staff. We are fortunate to report no students were injured as a result of this incident," said the district in a statement.

The district said Thorne has been an employee for 12 years.

Families sue Whitehall bus driver, schools after assault allegations

Families of the children who were allegedly assaulted by a Whitehall bus driver filed a civil rights lawsuit against him, Whitehall schools and the city of Whitehall in federal court yesterday. They are asking for $2.5 million in damages.

The parents of Tynez Knight, 11, and Jordyn Brooks, 6, said the school district failed to protect the children from false imprisonment, assault and battery from former Whitehall bus driver Christopher Litostansky.

Litostansky, 48, already faces criminal charges: two counts of endangering children, one count of assault and one count of unlawful restraint, all misdemeanors. He is due in court Dec. 1.

Litostansky resigned last week, following a police investigation stemming from an Oct. 14 complaint. He worked for the district for about a year and was making $20.51 an hour. His route transported students who live in Whitehall but attend other schools.

According to the lawsuit, on Oct. 10, Litostansky struck Brooks in the face with his hand and used a strap he picked up from his home during his bus route to tie down Knight’s feet, seemingly to prevent the boy from kicking Brooks. Knight, who has been diagnosed with severe autism, is regularly placed in a harness that restricts his movement on the bus but doesn’t restrain his arms or legs.

Three days later, Litostansky bound Knight’s legs again after the boy was playfully roughhousing with Brooks, the lawsuit said. He also threw the girl across her seat with such force that her head struck the window. When she began to fall asleep in her seat, Litostansky poked her in the head several times with the end of an umbrella.

Afterward, he had the girl sit on his lap while he was driving, where he stroked her hair, apologized for his actions and kissed her on her head.

“He proceeds to hold her hand for several minutes before turning and looking at her to say ‘ How does that feel?’ ” the lawsuit said.

Top Best Business Driving Lessons For Corporate Driving

Business motorists are in great requirement for the conveyance of the workers. Almost all workplaces now provide service to offer conveyance to their workers. Business coaching executes a significant part in driving a secured car driver the initial capabilities obtained will type driving workouts for the rest of the lifestyle. Business driving course will help to keep your driving properly secured. Businesses driving training provide you top quality and essential driving session, which will make you confident while driving on street in very short interval of time structure frame.


Driving sessions are very important in the modern age. There are many ways to learn driving. One can learn one oneself or opt for driving schools. For more business driving lessons it is good to go for driving schools. Corporate drivers are in outstanding need for the conveyance of the employees. The Corporate-Driving course will help to keep your driving protected. Corporate driver training offer you top high quality and essential driving session, which will make you confident while driving on street in very brief period of time interval. Eco Driving training play a crucial part in driving a secure driver with remind the eco factor of atmosphere and the preliminary abilities obtained will form driving routines for the relax of the lifestyle. All this educating is very essential not only for a test, but also for a life-time. Driving teachers not only educate you to drive and exercise with you but also help you to increase up your assurance and have the beneficial mind-set towards this art instead of getting scared.

SCC graduates second class of truck drivers

DOBSON — Surry Community College’s Truck Driver Program is hoping to place graduates right into jobs as recruiters attended the recent graduation in hopes of securing drivers.

The college is offering its third Truck Driving Training course and recently graduated a second class of drivers. Additional Truck Driving Training classes have been scheduled with orientation dates on Nov. 20, Feb. 17 and April 28. Classes will start on Jan. 7; March 17; and May 27, and are held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Graduates of Surry Community College’s second Truck Driver Training course were recognized in a recent graduation ceremony at The Yadkin Center. Dale Badgett, Business and Industry Specialist of Surry Community College, was the guest speaker.

Eleven students received certificates for completing the nine week program which is a collaborative effort between SCC and Caldwell Community College. Certificates were awarded to the following graduates: Shane Atkinson and Ross O’Neal of Mount Airy, David Byerly and Nicholas O’Connor of Yadkinville, Michael Holbrook of State Road, Calvin Kennedy of Hamptonville, Ray Lowry III of Marion, Brenda Read of Hamptonville, Judy Rice of Millers Creek, Nathan Riddle of Lewisville, and Patrick Widener of East Bend.

The Truck Driver Training Program was implemented in March of 2014 to answer the demand for truck drivers. As of today, 26 students have graduated from the program.

“There are currently job openings for truck drivers locally and nationally. We developed this program as a direct response to the requests from local truck driving representatives who need skilled applicants to fill job vacancies,” said SCC President Dr. David Shockley.

SCC’s Truck Driver Training Program is a revamp of a truck driving program the college used to offer through a private company. SCC is offering the new program at The Yadkin Center.

“Since we were able to offer this new truck driving program through a partnership with Caldwell Community College, we are able to charge community college tuition instead of the class fees being set by a private vendor,” Shockley said. Tuition for North Carolina residents is $1,882 whereas fees through a private vendor could be up to $3,500.

Median pay for truck drivers is $38,200 per year, according to the United States Department of Labor. Drivers with experience can make more than $50,000.

The SCC Truck Driver Training Program teaches proper driving procedures, safe driver responsibility, commercial motor vehicle laws and regulations, and the basic principles and practices for operating commercial vehicles. The coursework includes motor vehicle laws and regulations, map reading, vehicle maintenance, safety procedures, daily logs, defensive driving, freight handling, security and fire protection.

Highway driving training exercises and classroom lectures are used to develop the student’s knowledge and skills. Graduates are qualified to take the Commercial Driver’s License Test and are employable by commercial trucking firms. They may also become owner-operators and work as private contract haulers.

Special admission requirements include official driving record; physical examination; reading placement test score of 40 or higher; disclosure form; high school transcript; and drug testing. For more information about SCC’s Truck Driver Training Program, persons may contact Dr. Wayne Matthews at 336- 386-3584 or matthewsw@surry.edu.

SuperShuttle Driver Protest Higher Fees Compared to Other Transportation

SuperShuttle drivers protesting higher fees they have to pay compared to transportation network companies at Bay Area airports did not show up to work Sunday, a company spokesman said.
About 75 percent of the drivers serving the San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International Airport and Mineta San Jose International Airport did not report to their job, according to Jim Gleich, senior vice president for the west region of TransDev, a company that owns SuperShuttle.
A majority of their traffic is to SFO, he said.
The drivers say they are against the fee structure set up by the SuperShuttle, which has not changed its business model in the past 10 years, Gleich said. SuperShuttle is comprised of franchisees under the company’s trademark. The shuttles in the Bay Area and the state have to comply with regulations from the California Public Utilities Commission, according to Gleich.
The drivers said they have to pay more to provide service to fliers and don’t have the same regulatory oversight compared to other transportation services, the spokesman said.
SuperShuttle has a different cost structure and insurance fees than those types of services, Gleich said.
At SFO, SuperShuttle drivers cannot serve passengers unless they are driving a clean air vehicle, which the company is in compliance with but comes at a cost of between $10,000 to $15,000 plus the cost of each vehicle, according to Gleich.
The company is also compliant with the American Disabilities Act making their cars more expensive to operate, Gleich said.
Drivers undergo comprehensive training and the company needs to pay quarterly fees to the PUC, according to Gleich.
There have been numerous meetings on the issue between the drivers, a representative from the corporate office, the local general manager and local management, Gleich said.
The most recent meeting was on Friday and the company has continued communicating with the drivers, he said.
There have been delays in service today but Gleich said the company’s goal is to “keep passengers satisfied throughout this process.” He said they have made agreements with taxis and a bus company to serve their customers during the protest.
The drivers have not said how long they plan to stay off the job, according to Gleich.

Training and Qualifications to Become a Goods Driver

You driving lesson Bexley will be much more efficient if you work with a friendly and patient instructor! Learning how to drive is an exciting stage in the life of every person. Driving your own vehicle allows you to save a lot of time and money. Besides, you have the freedom of reaching the destination in the route you want. Choosing a driving school Bexley must be done based on the reputation of that school and on the qualities of their driving instructors. If you reside in Bexley and you want to take driving training you will first of all need to find a trainer, ideally a regional trainer who has excellent operating information of the regional streets.

Driving lessons Bexley offers various courses that include beginner's offers, intensive courses, semi-intensive courses, student's discounts, hourly lessons, pass plus courses, refresher courses, motorway lessons, block booking discounts and many more. In order to achieve this driving, it is important to know the traffic rules and regulations. However, the most primary prerequisite is to obtain a driving license. If you are beginner at driving and are looking to learn all about driving, driving lessons Bexley will certainly help you. Even if you are an adult that has yet to learn how to drive, now is your time, to learn and finally get that independence you have been searching for.

Parents suggest instructors for driver’s ed classes

At the Lackawanna Trail school board meeting Nov. 10, Cathy Rist Strauch, treasurer of Friends of Music and parent of a Trail student, asked the board to allow driving school teachers Randy Miller of M&S Driving School and Mark Beach of Mark’s Driving School to test the driver’s education. students. She said that they are able to test if they are associated with Lackawanna Trail.

“They have clearances,” she told the board. “They’re good for all these other schools. Talk to them. Find out more about it because it’s the parents and the children that are affected, not them. We want to be able to have the choice of not going to the state police barracks to have a state trooper be the one to test our child. We would like to have a friendly face with our child if that be the case.”

School director Joseph Strauch asked the board if they can incur liability, and asked Miller and Beach if they are applying to become employees of the school.

“We are neutral, independent businesses that have liability, our clearances, and everything on file with the Department of Education,” said Beach. “We provide services to people who come with us. If the school district’s requests are assistance in testing the students, then we can give them the driving tests and give them their licenses but it has to come as a request from the school district.”

Parent Christy Clarke asked the board if anyone would like to comment on why the reluctance of allowing this to the school district.

“As I understand it, by not affiliating, we’re not precluding students from being educated by them (Miller and Beach),” Board member Dr. Michael Mould said.

“We’re not asking you to tell people they have to do this. All we want is the opportunity to be able to do it,” said Clarke.

Mould replied that the school offers billboards, in which they (Miller and Beach) can purchase advertising, in the gymnasium.

“We’re looking at the parents that are paying for the services. We should be given that extra ability to use them (Miller and Beach) for testing, which we can’t do until you let them decide to let them be associated,” Strauch said.

Board member Carol Selwood brought up the fact that students have to pay $400 for six out of 50 hours required for driving lessons. She also said that the board is not stopping anybody from looking in the Yellow Pages and using their services.

Clarke replied that Lackawanna Trail used to pay for driver’s education when they offered it for the high school and did not include all the lessons required for a driver’s license.

“Those (parents), that care enough to have their child get a special lesson, should be given the opportunity to have that person test them,” said Strauch.

Clarke asked board member Kevin Mulhern why Lackawanna Trail shouldn’t use Miller and Beach to test the students.

“I feel that a student should go to the state police barracks and get tested,” Mulhern replied. “Those guys have been doing this for a hundred years and they’re experts at it.”

In other business, superintendent Matthew Rakauskas announced in his report that the Bring Your Own Device Program, which began on Nov. 3, is off to a nice start. He said that last week, students got to use their own device. He also announced that beginning next week, elementary students will be able to use a smart device to look for a book at the library.

“Mrs. Kelly (Hopkins), our elementary librarian, has taken a number of books and gave them QR codes, so as students decide which book they might want to check out, they can literally take their smart device, scan the code, and watch a trailer of the book,” he announced. “So, that’s up and coming next week.”

High school principal Dr. Mark Murphy, in his secondary report, commented that the high school is taking baby steps in the BYOD program.

“I’ve been able to observe several classes and seeing how the BYOD initiative is being fleshed out in classes,” he said.

Murphy said that in teacher Thomas Lengel’s science class, he was using a slow motion camera app during a lab to capture the rate and speed of a ball dropping into a cylinder. He said that the students were using two different apps for that function and comparing which one more accurate. He also said that teacher Claire L. Signorello was using charting and graphing apps with her statistics class, taking data, and compiling it into spreadsheets.

Murphy also announced that Kristen Kurpis, instructional technology specialist, will be presenting the top 100 apps, which could be integrated into the curriculum on Nov. 19.

In other news, the board made a motion to appoint Leslie Grega full-time secretarial position at the probation rate of $15.20 per hour, as stipulated in the collective bargaining. School director Joseph Strauch abstained because only a superintendent can appoint a secretary. Motion was still carried.

In other business, the board approved to appoint Judy Kwiatkowski as a volunteer girls’ basketball coach for the 2014-15 school year, all clearances on file.

In other business, the board approved to accept with regret business manager Dave Homish’s resignation to be effective June 30, 2015. Joseph Strauch abstained saying that the resignations are unilateral decisions, not requiring acceptance. Motion was still carried.

Reach The Abington Journal newsroom at 570-587-1148 or by email at news@theabingtonjournal.com.

Southside Brain Camp lends life, driver safety lessons to teens

ATLANTA — Students and parents stood along the sidewalk watching as firefighters pulled one of their own from a mangled car and placed him on a stretcher.

This was a demonstration — a reenactment of a fatal car accident scene performed Saturday by members of Clayton County Fire as part of Southside Brain Camp at Delta Flight Museum.

 The Clayton County Board of Commissioners, Clayton County Public Schools and Safe America Foundation collaborated to put on the event targeting middle and high school students from around metro Atlanta.

 The partnership brought together experts on subjects such as peer pressure, cyber-bullying and safe driving, increasingly concerning issues for parents like Angela Ramsey.

 Ramsey watched as her daughter, Jordan Atkins, attempted to round orange cones set in a line on the patio at Delta Flight Museum. Atkins, an eighth-grader at Morrow Middle, turned with noticeable angst between tall cones as she attempted to type something on her iPhone.

 For most of the morning, youngsters clumsily navigated the small obstacle course — an exhibit designed to demonstrate the level of distraction from texting while driving.

 “I wanted them to be aware of the importance of learning how to drive,” said Ramsey, who declared a small victory in teaching her daughter early about the dangers of distracted driving.

 Saturday’s event included a SafeTeen Driver Academy for high school students and a Safe Tomorrow Workshop for middle schoolers.

 The workshop featured former Miss New York Amanda Mason. She shared insights on succeeding in high school, handling peer pressure and dealing with bullies.

 The academy included topics for teens on safe driving, getting one’s first job, having a career mentor and setting long-term goals.

 Jennie Glasgow with Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance was on hand, informing drivers and future motorists about the perils of trespassing on railroad tracks and not obeying the law at railroad crossings.

 Scott Morrison, a compliance analyst with the Georgia Department of Driver Services, took questions from attendees across the way. He said most participants were eager to learn how to get a driver’s license, but he encouraged them to pursue driving school or driver courses before setting out on the road.

 “A lot of them don’t know that you cannot talk on your cell phone at all if you’re under 18-years-old,” said Morrison, adding that texting is not allowed on the road even if you are stopped at a traffic light, according to state law.

 Seventh-graders Jamil Boney of Elite Scholars Academy, and James Burnett and Preston Walton, both students at M.D. Roberts Middle, participated in a computer-simulated exhibit that measures breaking speed.

 Beside them stood American Red Cross volunteers Victor Ojeda and Troy Sandifer who talked about the benefits of joining the organization and becoming certified in first aid and CPR.

 “You’re never too young to know exactly what to do,” said Sandifer.

 “It’s important to learn these skills because you want to be the one that steps up, not the one that steps back,” added Ojeda.

 Marcus Holston was invited to Southside Brain Camp by his son, Payton Holston, an eighth-grader at Rex Mill Middle.

 “It’s good any time I can expose my son to something beyond the current environment and give him an opportunity to experience something outside of the classroom,” said the father.

 “I love the panel forum where high school students get to interact with middle schoolers,” he added. “Every opportunity we get to expose our kids to various environments and different experiences, that’s a leg up they’ll have in life.”

 Dorian Green, a sophomore at Martha Ellen Stilwell High, said the event was eye-opening. He attended with his father, Tommy Green.

 The teen said he is inspired to drive now to fulfill the new-found responsibilities of the privilege.

 “I’m learning how to be responsible on the road,” said Green. “I wasn’t excited about it at first. Now, I’m totally excited.”

 Learn more about Southside Brain Camp and other services provided through Safe America Foundation at www.safeamerica.org.

More Adequate Guide For Becoming A Professional

By attending the driving lessons St Albans, your child can learn the correct skills and keep themselves safe. Advantage of enrolling for a cheap driving lesson at St Albans Driving School is affordability. As the word cheap suggests, these lessons are low-cost. However, this does not compromise on quality. With St Albans Driving School, you will get value for your money through quality but cheap driving lessons. It can be said this is a great deal so do not ignore have the right decision at the right time and go ahead because we provide best of the best training in the area. You can undertake the driving lessons in St Albans within hour duration.


Driving instructors, program helps people learn the rules of the road and how to drive safely. There are some instructors that offer cheap lessons, but with best service. The instructors at St Albans Driving School have adequate experience in handling any kind of situation. This is the right time to have the best lesson by driving lesson St Albans. So go ahead and be perfect driver. Driving instructor training makes sure you that now there is no need to think you can get as you desire. It helps to educate necessary abilities required to acquire a driving certificate and provide coaching to qualified individuals like learners. By selecting an Interested driving instructor training in St Albans for you, you will get a double benefit, you are providing yourself the best possible opportunity to successfully pass the examinations, and the best possible begin to your profession.

Risky Business: The lost art of trip planning

Hours of service regulations continue to be a challenge for a good number of carriers. Some wage war with HoS regulations, looking for exemption loopholes. Others abdicate the responsibility and make it the driver’s problem to manage. The common theme amongst these carriers is they remain convinced that they cannot make money if they run legally.

For these carriers, HoS violations become a vicious circle that is an incredible profit drain on the company. Aside from the obvious fines incurred, there are unscheduled delays, utilization inefficiencies, and increased driver turnover.

According to a recent ATRI study, violators experience a crash rate that is 83% higher than the total carrier population.

Inevitably, their HoS violation rate attracts unwanted attention from either a regulator or an insurer, and their response is to deal with the symptom and provide the driver with refresher training and/or discipline while ignoring the disease.

Most HoS issues can be attributed to a lack of proper trip planning. For several reasons trip planning seems to have become a lost art. Some of the factors include depending on technologies like dispatch software programs that provide pre-plan routing and scheduling, over-reliance on the re-start provisions, and, at the street level, swearing by GPS technology that provides a one-dimensional look at the trip.

When I talk with carriers, invariably their trip planning consists of allowing drivers to max out their hours and then use the re-start provision. Most will acknowledge that they have a lot of drivers who get part way home, use the re-start, and then are prevented from using the re-start at home because they do not have the requisite 168 hours between re-starts.

Others acknowledge that crashes happen because the shortest/fastest route identified by the driver’s GPS system included topography that they would have avoided.

I continue to be surprised by the number of carriers that do not know the number of hours required for a common trip that they run. It is not uncommon for me to hear that the company expects drivers to complete a 1,500-mile trip in less than 48 hours!

Over-riding all of this is a lack of communication between the driver and the operations staff after the load assignment has been provided to the driver. The complexity of HoS rules, coupled with the road and traffic conditions routinely encountered, dictate that carriers need to provide additional trip planning support for their drivers. The days of firing up the truck, heading out and then figuring it out as you go are long gone!

If you really want to gain better control over HoS and reduce the associated profitability drains, consider the following:

Provide all drivers and operations staff with trip planning training. Operations staff cannot provide guidance to the drivers if they do not have the information themselves.

Develop a means to assess each driver’s proficiency in trip planning. Then tailor the level of support provided.

Manage your customer’s expectations. Become more realistic in your fleet’s ability to provide service.

As a rule of thumb, use 23 mph when dispatching single drivers and 45 mph for teams. This will give you the total drive and rest time needed to complete the trip legally.

Develop a trip plan agreement between the driver and the dispatcher. Have a mechanism in place to ensure adherence to the plan. If, for example, the company expects the driver to leave at 9:00 AM, follow-up to ensure he departed.

Implement a policy requiring the driver and dispatcher to discuss trip segments on a daily basis. When the driver calls in the morning, determine where they currently are, where they are headed for today, where they plan to take their 30-minute break, where are their fuel and meal stops, etc.

If drivers are not going to be able to make delivery, you want to learn that early so you can consider alternatives.
Hold operations staff accountable for adherence to trip plans and avoiding HoS violations.

Don’t tell drivers “do the best you can.” Operations own the responsibility to have freight delivered on-time and damage-free. Drivers are entitled to better guidance and instruction.

In the majority of cases, it is the profit drain associated with HoS violations that causes people to believe they can’t make money running legally. Eliminate the bleeding and watch what happens!
Rick Geller, CRM, has been providing innovative and cost-effective risk management solutions to the trucking industry for more than 30 years. He serves on the board of directors for both the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) and the Professional Truck Driving Institute (PTDI). He is also the incoming chair of the Toronto Chapter of the Fleet Safety Council, as well as an executive committee member for both the Ontario and Toronto Regional Truck Driving Championships.

Don-Tre Driving School: Parents Play A Role In Training Safe Teen Drivers

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - Don-Tre Driving School, a full service  professional driving school, recently opened their "new storefront" in downtown Berkeley Heights. Donald and Peter Carpenter, the school's owners, have been teaching students throughout New Jersey since 1988 -- with a primary purpose of educating teens to save lives and reduce motor vehicle accidents.

Don-Tre Driving School prepares students to drive through driver theory classes and behind-the-wheel experience. With safety of teen drivers as their primary focus, the school has recently partnered with Share the Keys - educating teens and parents, alike, to cultivate safe driving attitudes and behaviors.

This orientation for parents is designed to reduce teen driver crash risks by increasing parental involvement. "Parents are key to safe teen driving," said Peter, "assuming they're a good role model behind the wheel."

Parents have to reinforce through their actions, said Peter. Studies have shown that parenting styles have a direct impact on teen driver safety: teens whose parents set rules and pay attention to their driving activities in a helpful, supportive way are half as likely to be involved in a crash.

"Research has also revealed that teens who requested permission to use the car were fifty percent less likely to be involved in crashes. Drivers whose parents controlled the keys were also less likely to violate the provisions of the 'Graduated Driver License,'" stated the Share the Keys resource guide.

The school prides themself on customer service and their commitment to the kids. "We strive to meet the scheduling needs of our clients, as well as their instructional needs," said Peter.
Don-Tre Driving School employs instructors who are trained educators. "We have school teachers and coaches instructing," Donald said. "When a kid gets picked up, he's picked up by a professional that knows kids." The school is centered around the children who attend -- "most of our instructors understand that because they're working with kids all the time," said Peter.

Though the school focuses on teens, they are not the only potential customers. According to Donald, Don-Tre Driving School also provides behind-the-wheel instruction to adults. "For people who live in New York and don't have cars because they don't need them, then move out here and call us, we'll give them lessons," he said.

Don-Tre Driving School also offers lessons off the road. The business provides an online defensive driving course that allows eligible students to remove two points from their driving record upon successful completion. "It's a 6-hour course, and it's offered to any licensed driver," Peter said.

According to Donald, this online course enhanced his company. "When I taught the 2-point class, I'd have to go to a classroom and teach for the six hours," he said. "Now you can just go online."

For more information about Don-Tre Driving School visit their website or call their business number at (908) 206-9977.

A few facts about New Jersey teen driving according to Share the Keys resource guide :


    Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people in NJ and across the nation between the ages of 16 and 20.
    Teen crashes are most often the result of distraction, inexperience, speeding, and/or failure to yield.
    The most dangerous time on the road for teen drivers is between 3 and 6 p.m., followed by noon and 3 p.m.

Facts about the NJ Graduated Driver License law:

    may not drive between 11:01 p.m. and 5 a.m.
    may only transport one passenger, unless the driver is accompanied by a parent or guardian or the passengers are the driver's dependents (children).
    can not use a cell phone or any other hand-held wireless electronic devises.
    must ensure that they and all of their passengers wear seat belts.
    must display the GDL decals on any vehicle they drive.
    face a fine of $100 for a violation under the GDL law.
    may not plea bargain any point carrying offense.

Editor's Note: Don-Tre Driving School is an advertiser with TAP into. To learn more about becoming an advertiser, please call (908)279-0303 or email marketing@tapinto.net.

Get Best Business Driver Training

There are various assessment programs that are available to business owners, so that they can constantly check up on drivers, and make sure they are up to date on all changes, or rule updates, or even driver safety on the road. Time is running out do not waste even a minute hurry up have the right decision at right time and be smart. Using the best driver risk assessment, and e tools to constantly make sure your drivers are up to date on rules, regulations, and road safety, are some of the things that companies have to do for all of their drivers on staff. Business car driver exercising all who has desire to learn.

After having this business driving you will realize that you are at right place so do delay it is one of the popular educational institutions of motoring offering coaching having many years of experience. Business driver training will help to keep your driving protected. Company driving training play an important part in driving a protected car owner the initial capabilities acquired will form driving workouts for the rest of way of life. As we know that safety is very important in all cases and it cannot be ignored and we know risk assessment is part of driving so driver risk assessment is considerable point.

Jann Mardenborough Teaches You How to Boss a Rolling Start

We almost certainly all have somewhat fond memories of our first driving lessons: the thrill of laying hands to the steering wheel for the first time, the way the engine roars to life, the way the high school parking lot asphalt yawns like a hot black sea of infinite possibility.

Of course, that all happens before you jam the accelerator pedal down a bit too hard and end up curbing yourself and inflicting $500 in body damage on your dad’s Altima.

Ah, well. At least you weren’t this poor lady.

By the way, 브레이크 means brake. And now you know a little Korean.

In any case, it’s likely that your first driving lessons were not provided by anyone near as good behind the wheel as 2011 GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough. It’s also likely that your first driving lesson didn’t consist of a crash course on how to effectively get off to a rolling start, utilize heel-toe downshifting, and left foot brake.

Full disclosure: these are the kind of driving tips that you’ll only want to try and master if you’re somewhat seasoned behind the wheel (sorry, 16 year olds).

School Bus Distracted Driving

They are entrusted with the lives of our children each day. The work of the school bus driver requires an incredible amount of skill and focus. For that reason, driving distracted is never an option for bus drivers.

"School Bus drivers have a huge responsibility," Mississippi Highway Patrol Spokesman Lieutenant Johnny Poulos said. The children that they are transporting every day, that is our future."

Poulos says each district has it's the right to enforce its own set of rules. The schools are expected to have rules and regulations in place to ensure that safety.

"There's nothing more valuable than that, Governor Phil Bryant said.  "There's nothing that means more to us than seeing that child get off of the bus and come home."

Believe it or not, it's an issue that has popped up at schools across the United States. In Tampa Florida, a woman was caught on tape driving a school bus full of children, texting the entire time. One of the students recorded the driver and it infuriated dozens of parents.

According to the Mississippi Department of Education, part of Nathan's law requires that no school bus driver is ever allowed to operate a school bus while using a cell phone.

Lori key, the woman who played an instrumental role of implementing that law, fully backs that rule. Her five-year-old son Nathan Key was killed when a driver tried to pass his school bus as he got off.

"My drive is not wanting to sit next to another parent, another family and having to explain to them that I truly understand what they're going through," Lori said.

The Governor joined Key at a special event in Laurel that introduced a new monitoring system for school buses there. Governor Bryant praised Lori and her family for the work they have done to bring about much needed changes.

"What Laurie and Andy began because of the loss of Nathan is helping change the attitude nationwide.” Governor Bryant said. “Our children so many millions of them now are being protected on these buses."

As of now there have been no documented incidents of school bus drivers texting behind the wheel here in Mississippi. On the other hand, The State Highway Patrol has responded to several incidents where it's the motorist who is driving distracted.

"We see it all the time. The bus is stopped loading or unloading children. The driver is looking at their phone distracted in some form or fashion,” Lieutenant Poulos explained. ”They often run into the rear of the bus or if they're coming from the opposite direction, there's a possibility they could actually strike the child that's crossing the road."

According to distracted.gov a distracted driver take their eyes off the road for at least five seconds. If you're driving a 55 miles an hour that's enough time to cover the length of a football field. That statistic applies to any driver. Its just one more reason people like Lori Key are fighting to make sure Mississipians are aware of the dangers of driving distracted.

"There are a lot of other distractions as well as far as people driving in their personal vehicles,” Key said.  “I would ask that people try to stay more aware of their surroundings.
While there may not be a formal law in place, authorities say that doesn't give drivers the right to be reckless on the road. Bus drivers have a big responsibility, but in the end that responsibility applies to anyone behind the wheel of a vehicle.

We do not have texting and driving nor distracted driving laws in Mississippi, that doesn't mean that drivers cannot still be responsible when they get behind the wheel of a car we want everyone to make it to their destination safely. That's our main mission," Lieutenant Poulos said.

If you or your child witnesses a bus driver driving distracted don't be afraid to speak up.

"Dial 911 try to get a description of the bus,  bus number comment the school district just report that to where we can get with the bus driver in the school district to bring it to their attention," Lieutenant Poulos said.

Save You Time and Money With Bill Plant’s Driving Lessons Newham

Learning how to drive isn’t just gaining control over the vehicle. You require understanding the entire ecosystem where you would require driving the vehicle. You require being conscious of all the traffic and other rules that govern the moment of vehicles on the road. Time and again you would require perceiving all the signals and signs on the road and acting similarly. At a distinguished driving school you would wend training in theory where you would enhance sound ken of these regulations. Strenuous theoretical knowledge adds to your assuredness when you actually drive a car.


This is one of the vast benefits of having an expert instructor sitting by your aspect in the training stage. Whenever you’ve any confusion or doubt about handling the car driving lesson Newham would aid you out. This frequently is not probable when you’re learning it from a colleague or friend.
 Trainers are even quicker to spot bad manners in your driving and would make sure you develop the correct driving tactics. For a new driver it’s very essential that the training is paced up quietly but successively. This is where expert schools give you the edge over others who do not attend this school. They would ensue well-organized training driving lessons Newham that would severally raise your challenges on the road. This raises your assuredness vastly and aid you overcome any type of fear or apprehension that you may have in your brain. Bill Plant teaches you the art of pro-active and defensive driving which aids in treating with emergency conditions on the road and averting collisions.