The “Washington, D.C. Federal Updates” session saw attendees receive insights from federal and national safety leaders on regulatory and legislative developments affecting pupil transportation. Peter Mannella, Public Policy and Communications Liaison for NAPT, moderated the discussion, highlighting recent advocacy efforts, including addressing driver shortages, enhancing safety measures, and combating illegal school bus passing.
Bridgette Watson from NHTSA presented updates on various pupil transportation projects, emphasizing the critical need for safety countermeasures. She discussed NHTSA’s enhanced toolkit for safer school bus routes, new driver education modules addressing illegal passing, and upcoming pupil safety toolkits tailored for school-aged children and rural communities. She also introduced a high-visibility enforcement campaign, similar to “Click It or Ticket,” aimed at deterring illegal school bus passing.
Kimari Hodges from the EPA provided updates on the Clean School Bus Program, which supports the transition to electric buses and other low-emission vehicles. She outlined recent funding opportunities, including rebates and grants, emphasizing the health benefits of reducing emissions in communities with high levels of diesel bus use. She highlighted two projects, in Texas and Oklahoma, demonstrating the program’s impact on reducing pollution.
Jason Williams, also from NHTSA, explained his role in addressing safety defects related to school buses and other vehicles, underscoring the importance of timely reporting to facilitate recalls and mitigate risks. He encouraged attendees to leverage NHTSA’s resources, such as the vehicle recall database, to maintain fleet safety.
Katie Mueller from the National Safety Council discussed NSC’s commitment to traffic and school bus safety, offering resources like the “Our Driving Concern” program, which provides free training to help organizations reduce risky driving behaviors. She also highlighted NSC’s role in disseminating evidence-based safety training and engaging transportation professionals in collaborative safety networks.