As investigators continue to look for the cause of a bus crash that killed a Lawrence Township principal, IPS officials say they are changing their bus policies in the name of safety.
It's still not clear what role, if any, idling may have played in the bus crash Tuesday at Amy Beverland Elementary School. Principal Susan Jordan died saving the lives of children in the path of a school bus that suddenly lurched forward over a curb. The investigation is still going on, but IPS is not waiting and other districts may soon follow.
Right now, IPS allows bus drivers to run buses idle for a short period of time outside schools, permitting engines and bus interiors to warm before students board. But the district said today that will change.
"Our revised standard practice will advise drivers to shut engines off when students and staff are present in an effort to reduce the risk of an accident," said .
School districts in New York and Connecticut already ban bus idling outside buildings and California only allows it for a short period before students board.
Indiana does not ban school bus idling, but the state's Department of Environmental Management does advise voluntary limits on idling engines outside school for air quality reasons.
Bus drivers we talked to Wednesday said they already limit their idling.
"Just to keep the bus warm, then I'll turn it back off," said one metro area driver. "I'll just keep it on for about 15 minutes, whatever. Then I'll turn it back off."
They don't feel their buses are in danger of lurching.
"I don't see how," she said. "My parking brake is on. You've got your parking brake on. And it's supposed be in neutral and the parking brake at all times and it wouldn't move."
Despite that caution, after the heavy loss in Lawrence, some parents say safety has to be reviewed.
"Education is the key to all things," said Avon parent Tracy Pendleton. "And knowing the protocol for procedures to get on or off the bus, where to stand is the key to it all. If you have any flaw in that area you know tragic things can come about."
