This time includes 20 hours of Texas School Bus Driver Certification Course, eight hour defensive driving course, and one hour of alcohol and drug awareness course. New drivers also receive training on district and department procedures and route specific training in CPR and first aid. The department provides student management workshops during staff professional development days, but the classes are not required. After this initial new driver training, the drivers receive 12 hours of refresher training every three years. This training is eight hours in a state certification refresher and four hours in defensive driving refresher courses.
Proper training enables drivers to provide safe transportation and avoid preventable accidents.
In 1998-1999, AISD recorded 135 accidents. Preventable accidents can be minimized with properly trained drivers. AISD also records student incidents in relation to safety accidents. In 1998-1999, AISD had 85 student accident incidents on the school bus. These incidents include students slipping on the steps to the bus, students being hit by other students, students being hurt by flying objects, and other accidents.