State Patrol inspects each school bus in Wisconsin

August 27, 2012

Once again, big yellow buses will be a familiar sight when school starts

They’re not as nimble as sports cars or as powerful as semi-trucks, but school buses have an even more important attribute—they are some of the safest vehicles on the road.

The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that traveling by school bus is seven times safer than traveling by a car or truck. In fact, NHTSA says that "school buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children back and forth to school."

To help maintain this commendable safety record, the Wisconsin State Patrol inspects each school bus in Wisconsin every year. Last year, the State Patrol performed 10,143 school bus inspections. In addition to annual examinations of all school buses, the State Patrol conducts spot checks and pre-sale inspections.

State Patrol inspectors are well-trained professionals who can identify a variety of potential safety problems. They closely examine brakes, steering, lights, tires, electrical systems and other required safety equipment during an inspection.

"Our inspectors use their knowledge and experience to protect children," says State Patrol Lieutenant Brian Ausloos of the Bureau of Transportation Safety. "Students, from pre-school through high school, ride buses to and from school. Many others ride school buses on field trips or to extracurricular activities. It’s our job to help make sure that every school bus is ready to do its job safely."

Note to media: If you wish to interview a State Patrol inspector and view a school bus inspection, please contact Lieutenant Brian Ausloos.

For more information, contact:
Lieutenant Brian Ausloos, Bureau of Transportation Safety
(608) 266-0264, brian.ausloos@dot.wi.gov