Drivers compete in bus ROAD-e-o
By Staff Reports
Published in News on April 22, 2012 1:50 AM
A school bus driver for the central attendance area was named winner of this year's "Bus ROAD-e-o" Wayne County Public Schools.
James Crawford, a veteran driver with 24 years' experience, will now advance to compete at the upcoming district competition that will be held May 9 in Fayetteville.
The annual event gives bus drivers the opportunity to showcase their driving and safety skills by maneuvering through a challenge course. Fourteen drivers from across the district participated in this year's event, which was held in the bus parking lot next to the WCPS administrative offices.
Second place went to James Shepard, a bus driver for 12 years and currently at Tommy's Road Elementary School. Richard Custer, a driver at Grantham School, won third place. He has been a bus driver for 10 years. Both are also eligible to compete with Crawford at the district level.
District level winners are also eligible to compete at the state finals, which will be held at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh May 24. Winner of the statewide contest can pursue the national title later in the year.
This year's local event was sponsored by the Board of Education and judged by representatives of the Department of Motor Vehicles' School Bus and Traffic Safety Section.