At a Board of Transportation committee meeting this past Thursday, the Chairman of the committee, Isaac Zlatkin, proposed to create a ‘Bus driver Code of Conduct’. “While the considerable majority ofbus drivers are doing an excellent job, and we appreciate their hard work, unfortunately there are some bus drivers who do not follow the proper procedures”, Zlatkin tells TLS.
Zlatkin says some of the violations people are constantly complaining about include, not waiting for the child until he or she gets on to the sidewalk, speeding, not stopping at the stop signs and more.
The proposal, is to create a “three strikes and you’re out” policy in the district, which will prevent anyone who is found guilty on three tickets, to drive a bus for any company in Lakewood.
Case in point, Zlatkin says a bus driver – transporting children – was recently issued three summonses in one day, and the Lakewood Board Of Education was unaware of it until they were contacted by one of the parents.
“For reckless driving, which is driving heedlessly, in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, there will be one strike and you’re out”, Zlatkin says. ”
Zlatkin says he has also discussed the idea with the district’s new head of security, retired Lakewood officer John Stillwell, who he asked to serve as the liaison to the police department.
“The district has great relationship with the Lakewood Police Department and Chief Lawson always assists us it when it comes to the safety of our students”, Zlatkin said.
“Currently there are two national companies which operate in Lakewood that have an official policy to terminate employees who receive a number of tickets but many of their drivers end up working for a different bus company.” “This uniform policy will accomplish that unsafe drivers will not be allowed to drive in Lakewood.”
This proposal also includes and calls for enforcement of the dress code for bus drivers which is already part of the existing contract between the bus companies and the district, Zlatkin says.
Zlatkin concludes that the committee is in the process of working on the Bus Code of Conduct for Students.
“It is complicated and will take some time to finish it, since we need to make sure that all stake holders are on board.” TLS.
this is a great idea, i am so pleased that the board is doing this. i am scared for our children when i see how alot of the bus drivers in lakewood drive. they have a very important job and i think they forget that our children are in their hands .
Will this proposal extend to those private schools that operate with their own busses and drivers???
how long is a child allowed to be on a bus? I thought not more than 45 minutes..my sons bus driver started doing the route backwards and he sits on the bus for an hour. Gets out at 4 and walks in the door sometimes after 5.
I command Mr. Zlatkin for his work, it is very needed as we all witness how so many drivers are puting our kids in Danger.
Zlatkin has done a great job this whole year.
Him and Gus Kakavas are a great team and they solved many bussing issues in our school. Its about time bus drivers realize that many people are upset about their driving.
I have noticed that the buses are speeding on Marc dr. every day.
Can something be done about it.
We need more police enforcement.
there is a bus out on our streets with only the number (moderated) on it and no name i have seen this driver to many times driving crazy. on county line road he was making a left onto hope chapel and didn’t wait until the cars ahead of him turn he went into on coming traffic to turn. then he did this again a few minutes later on south lake drive. he talks on his cell with kids on the bus and does many other things too. this is the type of driver who should not be responsible to drive a bus yet he is and guess what he is even frum. maybe this new rule will get him off the roads with our kids.
This is especially needed since most kids don’t buckle up and stand on the bus. I can’t even imagine what would happen if a speeding bus needs to stop short. this policy will save lives. Every one needs to tell their children to buckle up on the bus.
Great job Zlatkin !!!!!
Re; Anonymous: the proper word is commEND. Re:School administrator: You should know better. It is not Him and Gus but HE and Gus.
Amazing how with just a couple of responses the bus driver is getting the blame. I am scared too, yet I agree there are a few school bus drivers out there who should be ashamed of their driving habits and total disregard for the children on the bus. I;ve seen many unruly students on the bus. Standing, jumping , throwing things out the window. HOWEVER, parents are also to be blamed. Seeing a vehicle come at you from the opposite direction down a oneway street and the bus is in the correct direction. Not once or twice but 4 times I’ve seen this happen. Many streets in Lakewood should be made One Ways to avoid a grid lock effect. Many schools have parking areas for parents to pick up/drop off their children but are they utilized? NO! You have to park where school busses park because you are too lazy to get out and get your child. Many parents double park, thinking this is OK too, Wrong!
This is not Brooklyn where the streets are 4 lanes wide. Another issue is parking your vehicles on corners. Since many of the streets in Lakewood are narrow, why do you have to park on a corner? Preventing a large vehicle from properly making the turn. Do parents know what that BIG WHITE LINE is on the roadway at a traffic signal? Apparently many don’t. Otherwise they are just ignorant. It’s a safety area for everyone driving. Stay behind that line and the vehicle turning won’t hit you. Go over that line and there is a great possibility you will get hit. The same goes for the side of the road. That white line serves a purpose. A very hazardous area is Central Ave & New Central Ave. I’ve seen school busses trying to turn and with difficulty because cars are being parked over the white line and almost to the corner of New Central. Again, I see laziness and ignorance because they have to get to the shul in a hurry or just don’t want to walk a distance.
A great idea is for school busses to have cameras aimed at oncoming traffic. When their amber lights are activated so is the camera. It starts to record when the reds are on. This way it can show how many drivers run the red lights as the “precious” children are getting on or off the bus. Getting the drivers tags and actually seeing them run the lights. Guarentee they will also be on a cell phone. Thank you
This is the only committee that worked well all year. My hat is off to Mr. Zlatkin and Gus.
Hopefully, the new board will be allowed to have working committee’s which will be accountable to the administration and the public
right on! # 10
I have observed on a daily basis the disregard for the speed limit on Cedar court. Many bus company vehicles use this as a short cut to avoid the light on Prospect Street. Speed limit is 25 MPH. most far exceed it. Several cars including my own have been side swiped due to the narrow road. More accidents are sure to come. Please slow down and obey the speed limit.
its a great idea. its compliance may be hard 🙁
#6 I fully agree. We all teach our children to buckle up in the car.
WHY IS THE BUS DIFFERENT.
This buses are going 40-60 miles per hour on many streets.
#14 if the two companies who operate in Lakewood can enforce this policy as the article mentions, why wouldn’t boe be able to do it.
Its just a simple driving record check every once in a while.
the simple solution is for the buses to have monitors who will keep the students behaved and will in turn make a safer driving experience.
#10
very valid points, will anything change ? it points to a lack of good planning and still the building goes on ,in my oppinion its only going to get worse as the population increases
How about not waiting for a Primary kid to sit down in the bus before pulling off?
How about the kids jumping in the back of so many busses?
I believe this code of conduct should be enforced for kids too. The stories of chutzpah on the bus (there are no monitors) would make anyones hair stand on end. Three violations on the kids part and they’ll be carpooled. Bet the parents will make sure they cooperate then.
Whose responsibility is it to make sure the students are properly seated in their seats, and not hanging their heads out of the windows?
I believe this code of conduct should be enforced on everyone who drives a vehicle in Lakewood not just bus drivers.
Great Idea…… until the first time a bus is late with the children, then it will be the driver’s fault. lose lose situation.
This should also be applied to the children as #20 & #21 suggest.
I saw that too. I’m not sure if it was the same time you saw it but I followed the bus unitl the next stop and asked the kid who got off what school he is from. I called the school to report it by making sure to speak to the higher ups and not just the seceretary. Not sure if anything was done about it but next time I would advise you to do the same.
how about a code of conduct for the students?? do you think that all of your children are angles?
how about the drivers keeping the lights on too long and holding up traffic when they dont need to??
How about when your trying to get down a street with a bus and the CARS are parked all over the place or when the driver -driving the bus who is trying to do there job in a safe manner has to deal with a car coming at them and will not get out of the way or all the mommy vans driving with a cell phone to there ear no one thinks of what the drivers go throught each day no only to watch the road make sure the children are in a seat but watch out for the other driver, so before you go putting blame on the driver and yes there are some drivers out there who do not go by a code of conduct they do what they want to do which make it hard for the ones who care about there job. so the next time your driving and you don’t want to let a but pass through because you thing you can get by DON’T take the exter min and let the bus driver do there job……