Study: School Bus Crashes in Tennessee County Double the Guideline

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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.