LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Clark County School District buses have crashed almost twice the number of times this school year compared to last year, according to data 8 News Now obtained.
The Clark County School District has the largest bus fleet for a school system in the country, and the district’s bus drivers drive every day per square mile, the equivalent to the entire state of Massachusetts.
However, the data revealed the hazards of operating a school bus in the valley.
Crashes doubled each month when comparing August to December of 2024 to the same time period in 2023.
Here’s a breakdown of the crashes that occurred. The numbers include what CCSD considers unpreventable and preventable collisions; crashes involving a stationary object; vehicle-to-vehicle collisions; and crashes with a parked vehicle.
2024 2023
Aug. 87 47
Sept. 80 48
Oct. 91 41
Nov. 77 47
Dec. 71 30
October of 2024 recorded the highest number of crashes at 91 compared to 41 in 2023.
“We’re not supposed to be having distractions that’s why we’re adamant kids need to stay seated,” Robin, who drove a CCSD school bus route for three years, said.
Robin said there is so much going on behind the wheel.
“Being a safe driver and learning to be one are two different things,” Robin said. “Other cars are a problem. People not stopping when the signs are out. You know, people are just unaware,” Robin said.
CCSD created a video that it posted on the district’s website that highlights safety.
“If you have the frame of mind of, I must be safe above anything else. Safety before schedule. Safety above all. It becomes a lot easier. The pressure is lifted off of you,” Teddy Miller, CCSD’s transportation driver instructor, said.
Each school bus driver goes through 20 hours of training before they can start picking up kids, according to CCSD.
