FOR DRIVERS OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL DISTRICT OWNED BUSES

1. TITLE OF THE AWARD:
   MINNESOTA SAFE DRIVER AWARD
   Award for safe driving in school transportation

    

2. NATURE OF THE AWARD:
   Awarded by the School District in special recognition of an individual driver's record of safety in the pupil transportation industry. The driver just meet or exceed the minimum standards set by the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation.

    

3. FORM OF THE AWARD:
   The award is a 7/8 lapel pin in the shape of the State of Minnesota. Designated on the pin are the years of safe driving.

    

4. PRESENTATION OF THE AWARD:
   Awards to be made annually. It is suggested the awards be distributed at or during a safety meeting of all drivers employed by your School District.

    

5. APPLICATION OF THE AWARD:
   The district supervisor would make application to the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation for the number of awards that are required. On the application please state the number of awards for each year of safe driving.

    

6. ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR THE AWARD:
   
   • Drivers must complete one full year of accident free driving. Part time driver from the first day of school to the last. Full time driver must drive one full year.
   • A preventable accident with a damage value of more than $100.00 shall deem the participant ineligible only for that year in which the accident occurred.
   • A driver must be allowed continuity of awards. If a driver is working toward a five year award and has a $100.00 accident that was preventable during the particular year, that driver shall not receive an award for that year, but will continue to work for the five year award that can be presented the following year. Interruption of the sequence does not mean that the driver must start over from zero.
   • Reciprocity shall exist for school bus drivers who transfer either way between MAPT member districts and contract operators. Applications for awards involving reciprocity must be accompanied by a verification form.

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFE DRIVER AWARD PROGRAMS

1. Appoint to an accident review committee drivers of long standing and well thought of as leaders who have good driving records. This committee would determine if an accident is preventable or non-preventable.

    

2. Allow all drivers to participate the first year with the record that the committee can establish for them. By allowing great latitude, a greater scope of enthusiasm will be built into the award and will generate safer drivers. By accounting for the past years of safe driving, it will get the program off to a tremendous start and will excite the drivers into an even greater job in safety awareness. They will think about the next years award. Competition for safety can only benefit the school district's pupil transportation programs.

    

3. The committee must review each driver's record and react in a manner that is critical but fair to the driver. This will make the award worthwhile and meaningful.

    

4. The school district must maintain a record of the years of awards for which a driver had been disqualified. A simple record once established, is all that is needed.

    

5. To keep interest in the program on a continuing basis, it might be well to schedule a special safe driver award breakfast, or other special activity. At that safety meeting the safe driver awards can be distributed.

WHY DOES YOUR DISTRICT NEED THIS PROGRAM?

The safe driver award opens tremendous public relations opportunities both for the school districts and their drivers who participate, and the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation, Inc. It is a positive step toward upgrading the image and service offered by the school district.

Your local news media will be interested in the establishment of your program and will five you some positive press. Tell them how many years of accident-free driving your bus drivers have attained. You will be greatly astonished yourself to see the number of years your drivers have accumulated.

The award pin is designed to be synonymous with the membership pin of the association. There are not many ways that we can recognize our drivers and their safety record. This is one positive way.

Your drivers will see that your are thinking of them, and giving them credit for the efforts that they expend in creating an accident record that you can all be proud of. Your implementation of the program may be the catalyst to better employee relationships.

Your School Board Administration, and parent will be impressed by your participation in a program that will help justify their confidence in your operation. Can you imagine a news release from your school board telling the public about your safety record? Safety is you and what you do!

ALL NEW - THE DRIVER AWARD PLAQUE

This award is a finely crafted plaque with the MAPT logo embossed on he top and the driver's name, school district presenting it, and the achievement. This Award may be used for many reasons such as: driver of the year, a lifetime award, for an unusual accomplishment, or for achieving the district's prescribed number of years of safe driving.

Many district could not afford this type of award due to the cost of a one time purchase. MAPT has committed to order a number of these plaques, thereby reducing the cost and making these awards affordable. The cost to you is $20.00 each. If you have a driver that deserves special recognition this award is just what you need.

START YOUR SAFETY PROGRAM TODAY!