Pupil Transportation Best Practice

Prohibition Against Personal Cell Phone Use By School Bus Drivers

Personal cell phone use by school bus drivers while driving is a potential safety risk. The Michigan Department of Education, upon the recommendation of the Pupil Transportation Advisory Committee, recommends the following Best Practice be implemented by all Michigan school districts.

Recognizing that personal cell phone use by a school bus driver at times the vehicle is in operation on the roadway poses a potential safety risk, and further, that personal cell phone use by the driver while the bus is in operation can be a distraction causing further potential safety risk, it is a best practice that school bus drivers not operate personal cell phones while the school bus is in operation. It is an additional best practice that personal cell phones be placed in the "off" position when in the possession of the school bus driver while the bus is in operation. Cell phones may be used in case of emergency. Special care must be taken at all times in the use of any communication device while the school bus is in operation.