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U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FHWA 52-99
Thursday, August 5, 1999
Contact: David Longo
Tel: (202) 366-0456
FHWA Fines Two School
Bus Companies For
Violating Safety Regulations
Federal Highway
Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle today announced that severe fines will be levied
against two school bus companies for failing to comply with Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Regulations. "Those who endanger
America's school children by ignoring truck and bus safety regulations will pay
the consequences," Wykle said. "We have a safety action plan to reduce
the number of fatalities associated with trucks and buses and are redoubling our
efforts to make sure that companies which violate safety requirements will be
punished." Bee Bus Lines, Inc., and
Joy Farm Transportation, Inc, both of Milwaukee, agreed to pay fines in the
amounts of $23,000 and $14,000, respectively, for using drivers who were
confirmed positive for the use of controlled substance (drugs) to transport
school children. The investigations were conducted by special agents from the
Wisconsin Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). As a result of studies
indicating Wisconsin had a high rate of bus crashes transporting school
children, particularly in Milwaukee County, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the
Wisconsin Division of the FHWA focused attention on passenger carriers. Bee Bus Lines and Joy Farm
Transportation were found to be in violation of the controlled substance/alcohol
regulations and have higher than average crash rates than similar carriers
transporting school children in Milwaukee. Because both companies had been fined
for violating controlled substance/alcohol regulations within the past two
years, more severe enforcement actions were taken at this time. In May, U.S.
Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater and Wykle announced an action plan to
improve motor carrier safety and reduce fatalities associated with trucks and
buses by 50 percent in 10 years. # # #
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