Tennessee County Schools Release New Bus Safety Plan

Shelby County Schools has released a new plan to improve bus safety.

The Commercial Appeal reports a new criminal background check will be done on all drivers over the next week. In addition, transportation contractor Durham School Service has agreed to increase random alcohol and drug tests and provide the Tennessee school district with a new bus driver recruitment plan by December.

The move on Thursday came after a series of accidents involving buses. According to a Commercial Appeal review of 32 accidents since the start of the school year, about half ended with a citation for the bus driver.

Durham says 60 percent of 42 total accidents this year were found to be “preventable.” That’s a 27 percent increase over the same time period last year.