LOS ANGELES — In the 30 years that Clarence Hutchison has been the transportation services manager for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), he cannot remember when they have not held annual awards to honor their safest drivers. “We used to belong to the National Safety Council, but that became too expensive to maintain. So we continued on our own, keeping the basic premise of preventable and non-preventable accidents,” said Hutchison.

During the 2007 ceremonies, which took place at five locations throughout the district, LAUSD awarded over 800 of its drivers with a pin indicating the number years they have received safety awards. Every five years they also receive a certificate along with the pin.

“It’s a really great event,” said Rick Boull’t, director of transportation for LAUSD. “The school that is hosting the event will provide entertainment for the festivities, like drum corps or their school band.”

This year the district celebrated newer drivers that were being awarded for the first time and others who had safety records that were over two decades long.

“This award really means a lot to me,” said Sharon Crutchfield, a LAUSD bus driver with 28 years of safe driving. “It’s important to look at the big picture when you’re behind the wheel. You really have to use your mirrors.”

Reprinted from the January 2008 issue of School Transportation News magazine. All rights reserved.