Love the Bus: this month and throughout the year, school buses deliver precious cargo safely

I have to confess to some regret today that I could not attend yesterday's "Love The Bus" month celebration at Sunderland Elementary School in Maryland.  As a former teacher, I hate to miss a chance to recognize the valuable service our nation’s school buses provide.  Fortunately, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro and Ron Medford, Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, were able to join the festivities.

"Love the Bus" celebrations are a terrific opportunity for teachers, school administrators, parents, and students to say a heartfelt "Thank you" to the people who get 26 million kids safely to and from schools in America each day.  In fact, of the many ways students get to class across the country--walking, biking, riding in a parent's car, etc.--the familiar yellow school bus is the safest.

That's why it's so important to take a moment to express our respect for the terrific job our school bus companies and mechanics and drivers do.

You can see more photos from Sunderland Elementary School at facebook.com/lovethebus

Administrator Ferro took a page from my playbook and gave the kids of Sunderland a lesson.  She told them about the special preparation drivers undertake to get their commercial licenses and about the important work of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  She also made sure students know that their own behavior as passengers is an important part of ensuring that school bus drivers can keep their attention focused on the road.

Deputy Administrator Medford had an additional message that today's students really appreciate. More than just protecting our children, school buses also protect the environment.  Every bus replaces 36 cars that would be needed to get children to and from school.  That saves a lot of fuel--2.3 billion gallons each year--and it cuts traffic congestion around schools, a leading cause of poor air quality in school zones.

If you're like me and you've watched with anxiety as your young son or daughter climbed aboard a yellow school bus and watched with relief as he or she climbed down several hours later, then you appreciate the valuable service America's school buses provide across the country every day. 

Surely, that service is worth a moment or two of recognition.  So, please join me, Administrator Ferro, Deputy Administrator Medford, the kids of Sunderland Elementary School, and thousands of school communities across the country in saying an enthusiastic, "Yes, we love the bus!"