The National Transportation Safety Board notified NASDPTS that it satisfactorily addressed concerns regarding drivers who may mistakenly step on the accelerator when intending to activate the school bus brakes.
The issue arose last fall after NTSB released findings from several investigations into school bus and other vehicle crashes, especially those that occurred in Liberty, Mo., in May 2005 and in Falls Township, Pa., in January 2007, that were caused when drivers misapplied the pedals.
NTSB issued a recommendation to NASDPTS and NAPT that they communicate to their respective members via newsletters, websites and conferences the dangers of pedal misapplication and the need to retrain school bus drivers. NTSB also asked both groups to spearhead a campaign of advising the industry of the risk of unintended acceleration.
NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman, who holds a school bus endorsement on her personal CDL, wrote NASDPTS last month that it had satisfactorily responded to the recommendations and that the recommendation is now classified as “Closed – Acceptable Action.”
In its response to NTSB, NASDPTS also indicated it would post further guidance on its website. Bob Riley, excutive director of NASDPTS, told members in an email that the document would be discussed and voted about at the association’s annual conference later this month in Cincinnati.
Michael Martin, executive director of NAPT, said he doesn’t recall receiving a letter like the one sent to NASDPTS. However, he added, NTSB has always been quick to respond to the group’s outreach and vice versa. “NTSB wouldn’t have closed Safety Recommendation 09-14 with ‘acceptable action’ if they were not satisfied that both organizations have followed through on the recommendations,” Martin said.
