As reported in the November edition of School Transportation News, the School Bus Safety Company has released revised and expanded version of its Driver Training Course and is also offering the chapter “Danger Zones” training free of charge.
At eight hours and 54 minutes long, new Driver Training Course video is nearly two-and-a-half times longer than the original version created six years ago. Jeff Cassell, president of SBSC, said the original Driver Training Course that consisted of 15 video programs and 15 posters had become “dated.” The new course offers 25 programs and a final exam.
“This is not an updated but a complete re-creation involving new scripts, new filming and new actors,” Cassell explained. “The new course includes many new subjects that are critical to provide safe transportation.”
The DVD includes sections on “Safety and Defensive Driving,” “About the Bus,” “About Driving Situations,” “About the Driver,” “About the Children,” “When All Else Fails,” and the final exam.
He added that the update is the result of feedback from many of the more than 2,500 school districts or bus contractors nationwide that purchased the original program and that asked for additional subjects or certain improvements to be made. The result is “far more interesting and applicable content,” said Cassell.
The new 25 program course costs $5,000, but School Bus Safety Company is offering a $300 discount to members of state school bus associations. Additionally, for a limited time existing customers can return the original Driver Training Course, and in return the company will only charge the incremental price, or $1,600, to upgrade to the new course.
Meanwhile, SBSC is partnering with STN to give away copies of the “Dangers Zones” chapter from the Driver Training Course for free to any school district or bus contractor that requests it at www.schoolbussafetyco.com. The company also originally gave away 4,000 copies of “Dangers Zones.”
“STN and SBSC, like everyone else involved in school busing, really do care about the kids. However, we are in a position to do something to turn our care into action to make the danger zones safer,” said Cassell. “If we can help save one child, it is all worthwhile.”
