News

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued the following car seat recall:

NHTSA Recall ID Number: 23C001

Synopsis: Columbus Trading-Partners USA, Inc. (CTP) is recalling certain Cybex models Aton, Aton Q, Aton M, Aton 2, and Cloud Q rear facing infant seats. Please refer to CTP's recall report for specific model details. The design of the webbing for the central seat belt adjuster allows it to fray, which can reduce the strength of the seat belt. As such, these infant seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 213, "Child Restraint Systems" and 209, "Seatbelt Assemblies." An infant seat belt with insufficient strength many not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. CTP/CYBEX will mail owners a replacement central seat belt adjuster strap assembly and installation instructions, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 13, 2023. Owners may contact CTP's customer service at 1-937-415-3215.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SANPRM) requesting public comment on the factors the Agency should consider in amending the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to establish a regulatory framework for ADS-equipped Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) operations. FMCSA previously published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on May 28, 2019. FMCSA continues to consider amendments to the FMCSRs to ensure the safe integration of ADS-equipped CMVs into interstate motor carriers’ operations and is issuing this SANPRM to request additional information. Comments on this document must be received on or before March 20, 2023. The notice can be found here: 2023-02073.pdf (govinfo.gov).

Please see the following recall information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

NHTSA Recall ID Number: 22C007

Synopsis: JD E-Commerce America Limited (JD E-Commerce) is recalling certain Marainbow Portable Infant Safe Seat child seats. The installation labels display incorrect instructions. The child seat's design also prohibits it from being installed properly. As such, these child seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 213, "Child Restraint Systems." An incorrect installation label may result in an improperly installed child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. No remedy has been established at this time. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact JD E-Commerce customer service at 1-946-932-0299.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) developed a Pupil Transportation Safety Program Management Course. As you all know, safety for students on and around the school bus is a growing concern of the public, communities, school districts, and parents. It is a specialized field that requires understanding of the laws, enforcement, school bus operations, data and problem identification, and partnering in your community.  This course is designed so that those involved in pupil transportation safety can gain the skills and knowledge to manage a successful and sustainable pupil transportation program.

The course is offered in a virtual-live format and developed for state and regional highway safety professionals, injury prevention professionals, law enforcement, and all others interested in pupil transportation safety.

The next course is scheduled for Wednesday, Jun 21, 2023, 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM CDT/11:00 AM - 3:30 PM EST. Please feel free to share this information and the attached flyer with your contacts! As always, the course is free, which is always the first question asked

You can register here: https://tsi-dot.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/44c1ef15-0db8-4b83-a2aa-c2c4ae20ecfe. Just remember you have to be signed into TSI for the direct link to work.

On November 3, 2022, NASDPTS received the following recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following their accident investigation of the October 27, 2020, collision between a service vehicle and a school bus in Decatur, Tennessee. Please review.  NTSB Recommendation 11.15.2022

FMCSA issued a correction to the NSTA Under-the-Hood Waiver Application Approval to correct the effective dates listed within the notice. The notice still provides a two-year waiver, but the dates were incorrectly listed in one place in the notice. The correction can be found here: 2022-23830.pdf (govinfo.gov).

The EPA Clean School Bus awards have been announced.  Click here for the list.  Congratulations to all!

Today the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced its decision to grant the exemption requested by the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) for commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants seeking a school bus endorsement, from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement, known as the ‘‘under-the-hood’’ testing requirement. Drivers issued a CDL pursuant to the requested exemption would be restricted to the intrastate operation of school buses only. FMCSA also granted an exemption from the requirement that states administer this portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection test in accordance with an FMCSA pre-approved examiner information manual. Under the notice, states may adopt the waiver but are not required to do so. The exemption is effective from November 27, 2022, through November 27, 2024.  Here is the notice:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-10-27/pdf/2022-23346.pdf.

Jennifer Bruce, our Administrative & Member Services Director, has informed the NASDPTS Board of Directors that she will be retiring at the end of 2022.  Jennifer began working with us in 2019. 

“It has been an utmost pleasure to have worked with both national and state school transportation associations for almost 30 years, culminating with NASDPTS”, Jennifer stated.  “NASDPTS encompasses ‘all things school transportation’ with its State Directors, public and private transportation professionals and supplier companies.  I am blessed to have been part of this remarkable family.  Thank you for working so hard, every day, getting our world’s most precious cargo to and from school, safely.”

“Jennifer has been an amazing addition to NASDPTS, and she has helped the Association move forward in countless ways.  We will truly miss her enthusiasm and gumption, and appreciate all of her help to advance NASDPTS over the past four years.  We wish her the absolute best in retirement,” offered NASDPTS President, Pat McManamon.

The position description for the NASDPTS Administrative and Member Services Director can be found by clicking here.

NASDPTS will be accepting applications up until 5:00pm ET on Friday, November 11th.  Please be sure to include:  A Cover Letter, Resume and Three Professional References.  All applications will be reviewed, and you will be contacted with the next steps.

Any questions, as well as all applications, should be sent to NASDPTS Executive Director, Ronna Weber, at execdir@nasdpts.org. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new national paid media campaign to run through the month of October to educate drivers about the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses.  The press release can be found here:  NHTSA Launches New School Bus Safety Campaign | NHTSA.