Gottheimer Requests Immediate Action on Bus Driver Qualifications

Earlier this week, following the recent horrific bus accident, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (N-5) sent a June 5th letter to state and federal transportation officials at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, and the New Jersey Department of Education. Gottheimer asked the agencies to study and take immediate action to ensure that all bus drivers are qualified to drive our children.

Gottheimer wrote in the letter, “Recent incidents in New Jersey and elsewhere also raise significant doubts about the rigor and effectiveness of background checks for school bus drivers.”

Last month, on May 29th, Gottheimer announced his bipartisan Secure Every Child Under the Right Equipment Standards (SECURES) Act of 2018. That same day, Gottheimer introduced the SECURES Act in the House. The legislation requires all school buses to have three-point lap-and-shoulder seat belts and encourages innovative measures to ensure that students are actually wearing their seat belts while on school buses.

More information on Gottheimer’s work to keep our kids safe is available HERE.