Jackson schools host Bus Safety Competition

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – From stop signs to emergency exits bus drivers are putting their safety skills to the test today at a competition held in Jackson, where drivers from across the region come together to compete.

The competition is held for two days, and this year took place at the Jackson high school event center parking lot. Jarod Richmond is the Missouri Association of Pupil Transportation President. He shares that the event is a fun competitive way to ensure bus drivers stay in the know on safety practices while also having fun.

 “We transport the most precious cargo in the world and so this is just one of the ways that they can come out and show, you know, how good a driver they actually are” says Richmond.

The competition had 15 districts with 60 contestants this year. Each bus driver goes through a series of 10 obstacles such as driving through tennis balls without knocking any over or proper stop sign techniques, organizers say the competition is hard and takes bus drivers to new heights on what they can do.

“It is fun and competitive at the same time and what is great is schools will compete with each other, you know your neighboring school district, you know, you’ve got to beat them in something. But whenever we’re here, everybody’s on the same page and we’re trying to do what’s best for the kids in Missouri” shares Richmond.

The winner of today’s competition will go on to a state competition held in Austin, Texas next week.