Five employees of National Express Corporation were honored for creating winning safety posters that the company said serves as daily reminders for their associates across North America.
One hundred and twenty employees participated in the contest, which has been held periodically over the last several years, including October 2011. They represented the school bus divisions Durham School Services and Petermann in the United States and Stock Transportation in Canada. All five winners are school bus drivers, said a company spokesman.
Robie Hartling of Stock’s Gloucester, Ontario, location was selected as the winning artist and received the $1,000 first prize. The winning safety poster (pictured) addressed year‐round driving challenges, reminding bus drivers to make seasonal adjustments on the road to remain safe.
“I’m impressed by the artistic abilities of our school bus drivers and staff members,” said Bob Trinkleback, vice president of safety for National Express, which operates Durham School Services and Petermann in the United States and Stock Transportation in Canada. “The submissions were truly amazing. The safety messages were right on target, and they were brought to life in such unique ways on paper.”
Pamela Morgan of Durham’s Poughkeepsie, N.Y., contract finished in second place and received $750. Her poster focused on bus drivers staying alert at bus stops in order to keep children safe, especially when kids become distracted. Cynthia Woods from Durham’s East Haven, Conn., contract came in third place for highlighting the company’s child‐check policy that reminds bus drivers that searching the bus after every run is essential. She received $500.
Amy Duong from Durham’s Harvard, Ill., location illustrated the importance of defensive driving and received $250 for finishing fourth. Rounding out the top five was David Cook’s poster on the company policy of employees wearing reflective safety vests in the bus yard. Cook works at Durham’s from Elizabethtown, Pa., contract and won $100.
“We preach safety in a variety of ways to ensure it stays top of mind with every employee,” added Trinkleback. “Having drivers see a safety message before departing for their route will emphasize the importance of getting their students to school safely, on time and ready to learn.”
