The team with the lowest percentage of accidents per miles driven is declared the winner. Updates of the year-long competition are issued every two weeks. Winners receive gift certificates for a family meal and a safe-driving pin. In addition, a plaque commemorating the winning team is hung on the superintendent's wall. Also contributing to the decline in accidents, Fredricksen says, is the district's extensive driver training program.
Every bus driver is required to attend one two-hour safety training class per month.
The courses are taught by two safety specialists employed by the district. Greater success in recruiting drivers has helped to buoy spirits this year. Fredricksen says the district was 17 drivers short at the start of last year. This year the shortage is down to three drivers. We can't get over how smoothly school started this year.