Study: School Bus Crashes in Tennessee County Double the Guideline

An independent study has shown that school bus crashes are double the performance guideline in Knox County, Tennessee.

Media outlets report the study was conducted by Missouri-based School Bus Consultants was made public last month. The school district commissioned the study after a December 2014 crash that killed two children and a teacher’s assistant.

The rate of bus crashes for the district is 2.8 per 100,000 miles. The performance guideline is 1 to 1.5 per 100,000 miles.

The report also says Knox County Schools has a lack of oversight and should hire a safety manager, doesn’t pay its drivers enough and that nearly one in every six school buses is too old.

Superintendent Jim McIntyre released a statement saying, in part, the district will “thoughtfully consider all the suggestions for enhancement” made by the firm.