Accident Rate and Safety

The NISD Transportation Department has experienced a decline in our accident rate per million miles traveled. During this time our bus fleet miles traveled increased while the accident rate among those same buses decreased. This reduction in accidents per million miles traveled is primarily due to all of our Departmental personnel and their conscientious attitude toward safety.

Our professional drivers are required to possess a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). They must pass background criminal and motor vehicle record checks. Before our professional drivers are allowed to drive a school bus they must pass pre-employment and annual physical examinations and drug tests. Throughout the year all NISD professional drivers are also subject to random, post accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Drivers must also go through very extensive state and local training. That training includes CDL training, driver behind-the-wheel testing, Texas State driver certification class, defensive driving, student management, policies and procedures, first aid, CPR, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Our special needs professional drivers must also take Special Needs and Lift Bus Procedures classes. Most professional drivers receive up to 60 hours of training before and during their first few weeks behind the school bus wheel. Our NISD Transportation safety training has received national awards.