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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
February 2002
Keeping Kids Safe: A Guide to Hiring Charter Transportation
<Image: Child smiling in front of a bus>
The Right Choice for Student Safety
Is your school up to speed on safety?
Nothing is more rewarding than providing students with the opportunity to travel, be it for a field trip, a recreational outing, a school event or another activity. Thousands of students are on the road and most of the time, they travel safely. But ask yourself one simple question: What would happen if there were an accident?
What if your charter bus skidded off the highway? What if your driver fell asleep? These types of accidents occur. Public outcry is immediate and media coverage is extensive. We can help you reduce the risk to your students through more careful selection of bus companies. And while we understand that price is
an important consideration – it is second to the safety of your students.
Exactly how safe is your bus company?
Whether you’re relying on an existing vendor or choosing a new charter transportation company, it’s a good idea to make sure their safety record is satisfactory and compliant with federal motor carrier safety regulations. The United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) keeps records on every bus company that operates in more than one state. To access this information, all you need is the company’s
U.S. DOT number. With it, you can use our “SAFER SYSTEM” at www.safersys.org. There, you’ll find an up-to-date history on the company including:
– Whether the company has authority to transport passengers in interstate commerce
– The company’s accident history, safety rating and insurance status
– Performance during roadside inspections
– Whether the company has been examined by a law enforcement or regulatory professional
Beware that some bus companies offering interstate service have not registered for a U.S. DOT number as required. If you are offered interstate service from a bus company without a U.S. DOT number, report it to your Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) field office. The telephone numbers are listed on the back of this brochure. A FMCSA staff person can also provide you with guidance and assistance in hiring a safe bus company.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
To hire a safe bus company, you need information. It is important to know if your driver is qualified, well-rested and drug- and alcohol-free. You also need to know if the bus has been properly maintained and is in good operating condition. Make sure any company you choose is willing to answer questions about safety and security:
What is the company’s U.S. DOT number?
Does your driver have a current Commercial Driver’s License with a “passenger” endorsement?
Does your driver have a valid medical certificate?
Does the company have a driver drug- and alcohol-testing program that complies with U.S. DOT regulations?
Will your trip be completed within the legal limit of 10 driving hours? If not, will a second driver or overnight rest stop be necessary to perform the trip legally?
Are the buses inspected annually? By whom?
Does the bus company have the required $5 million of public liability insurance?
Does the bus company subcontract for equipment and/or drivers? If so,
what is the name of the second bus company and its U.S. DOT number
What company procedures exist for roadside emergencies and breakdowns?
Asking questions is a great start, but it’s not enough. To make sure your trip is safe, you need to enlist the help of someone who understands the answers. The more you know, the better your chances of preventing an accident.
Not all bus companies are equally safe.
It’s important to know that there are many federal regulations in place – from the number of hours a driver can operate a bus to medical standards for bus drivers – because
not all bus companies are safe. As part of the U.S. DOT, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the “Truck and Bus Safety Agency.” We establish and enforce minimum standards that interstate bus companies must follow for their equipment and their
drivers. We also fund states to perform safety inspections on buses. If you experience an unsafe trip in which students are injured or, you believe, endangered by the actions of the bus company, call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).
Start safe. Stay safe.
All it takes to keep kids safe is a little extra effort. Simply follow the guidelines listed here, and call your local FMCSA field office. We’ll gladly assist you with any questions about the safety record of a bus company. All of the phone numbers and web addresses you need are listed in this brochure. With your help, we can make sure that safety is everybody’s highest priority.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in
partnership with the bus industry and education groups,
is working to continually improve the safety of
transporting children. By choosing safe bus companies
for student transportation, you’ll do much to help us
improve the industry and assure that kids travel safely.
For more information please visit our website at:
www.fmcsa.dot.gov
400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590
DOT-MC-01-542 FEBRUARY 2002
FMCSA and Safety-Related Websites
Visit the FMCSA website for additional safety information and to check on a company’s safety rating by using the SAFER System.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
FMCSA SAFER System http://www.safersys.org
Other Bus Safety-Related Sites:
American Bus Association (ABA) http://www.buses.org
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) http://www.cvsa.org
National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) http://www.napt.org
National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) http://www.nasdpts.org
National School Transportation Association http://www.schooltrans.com
North Carolina Safety Organization http://www.ncbussafety.org
Pupil Transportation Safety Institute (PTSI) http://www.ptsi.org
School Bus Information Council http://www.schoolbusinfo.org
United Motorcoach Association (UMA) http://www.uma.org
FMCSA Field Offices
Alabama 334-223-7244
Alaska 907-271-4068
Arizona 602-379-6851
Arkansas 501-324-5050
California 916-498-5050
Colorado 303-969-6748
Connecticut 860-659-6700
Delaware 302-734-8173
District of Columbia 202-219-3553
Florida 850-942-9338
Georgia 404-562-3620
Hawaii 808-541-2700
Idaho 208-334-1842
Illinois 217-492-4608
Indiana 317-226-7474
Iowa 515-233-7400
Kansas 785-267-7288
Kentucky 502-223-6779
Louisiana 225-757-7640
Maine 207-622-8358
Maryland 410-962-2889
Massachusetts 617-494-2770
Michigan 517-377-1866
Minnesota 651-291-6150
Mississippi 601-965-4219
Missouri 573-636-3246
Montana 406-449-5304
Nebraska 402-437-5986
Nevada 775-687-5335
New Hampshire 603-228-3112
New Jersey 609-637-4222
New Mexico 505-346-7858
New York 518-431-4145
North Carolina 919-856-4378
North Dakota 701-250-4346
Ohio 614-280-5657
Oklahoma 405-605-6047
Oregon 503-399-5775
Pennsylvania 717-221-4443
Puerto Rico 787-766-5985
Rhode Island 401-528-4578
South Carolina 803-765-5414
South Dakota 605-224-8202
Tennessee 615-781-5781
Texas 512-536-5980
Utah 801-963-0096
Vermont 802-828-4480
Virginia 804-775-3322
Washington 360-753-9875
West Virginia 304-347-5935
Wisconsin 608-829-7530
Wyoming 307-772-2305
<Image: FMSCA Logo>
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