NHTSA was notified last week of the recall campaign that targets model year 2006 through 2010 Micro Bird and Girardin G5 school buses that are equipped with "T-slider" or panoramic push-out windows with two-release mechanisms, one on each side. Micro Bird said the window handle base spacer plate can tear due to the rotation of the exterior window frame. During a crash, the OEM added, passengers could be thrown from the vehicle or be incapable of opening the bus emergency exits.

The recall notice informed customers and dealers of the problem, but NHTSA had yet to receive a remedy for the the fix or a schedule of when the problem would be corrected. More information on the recall can be obtained by calling Micro Bird at (819) 477-2012. In addition, Girardin issued the recall campaign number of 10-038-WIU.

Johnson, a 19-year veteran at the commercial vehicle safety systems manufacturing and testing company based in Westfield, Ind., will partner with CEO Larry Gray to focus on new business and global strategy. IMMI's Safeguard division manufactures the Premier seat for the motorcoach and school bus activity sectors as well as long producing a line of flex, standard and integrated school bus seats and STAR restraint systems. IMMI also manufactures safety seating and equipment for fire trucks, ambulances and commercial vehicles.

“James Johnson’s visionary leadership at IMMI has been the driving force in the company’s development of new customers, new partners and new markets,” said CEO Larry Gray.  “During his 19-year tenure with IMMI, James has been instrumental in leading efforts to integrate advanced occupant protection on a wide range of commercial vehicles, from school buses to heavy trucks.”

Johnson worked closely with NHTSA to define testing methodology that validates the performance of seating products, especially the 2008 final rule requiring three-point lap/shoulder belts in small Type A school buses and guidelines for the voluntary installation of the same seat belts in larger school buses.

Montano has been an administrative law judge for 15 years with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration. During that time he heard adversarial cases dealing with Medicare nursing home compliance issues, fraudulent or abusive practices involving Social Security disability programs, and the exclusion or debarment of individuals or companies from participation in federal health care programs.

Before becoming an administrative law judge, Montano served as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.

He is a graduate of New Mexico Highlands University and earned his law degree at the University of San Francisco School of Law. He is a licensed private aircraft pilot.

Administrative law judges at the NTSB hear appeals from airmen, mechanics or companies that have had adverse action taken against their authority by the Federal Aviation Administration.

"If you are a commercial driver or carrier operating in violation of federal drug and alcohol laws, we will remove you from our roadways," said LaHood in a statement. "Parents deserve to know their children are being driven by bus drivers who are drug and alcohol free, and every motorist deserves to feel confident that the drivers of large trucks and buses are safe and sober."

During the two week sweep, FMCSA strike force investigators examined the drug and alcohol safety records of commercial drivers employed by bus and truck companies, including school bus drivers, interstate passenger carriers, hazardous material transporters and general freight long-haul trucking companies. Their goals were to identify motor carriers in violation of federal drug and alcohol testing requirements and to remove from the road commercial truck and bus drivers who jump from carrier to carrier to evade federal drug and alcohol testing and reporting requirements.

"FMCSA is committed to ensuring that only safe commercial drivers and carriers are allowed to operate," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "Our annual drug and alcohol strike force is just one of the ways we weed out those 'bad actors' and make our roads safer for everyone."

The 109 commercial drivers identified in the sweep face the prospect of a monetary fine and being barred from operating a commercial motor vehicle for failing to adhere to federal drug and alcohol regulations. Additionally, 175 commercial carriers face pending enforcement actions for violations, such as using a driver who has tested positive for illegal drugs and for not instituting a drug and alcohol testing program. Both drivers and carriers will have an opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the amount of the civil penalties.

Nearly half the deaths that occurred near school buses were attributed to motorists who failed to stop for a school bus that had activated its red lights and stop sign.

The good news for Illinois is that, for the 11th consecutive year, our state posted zero loading zone fatalities. Of course, our success rate is only as impressive as our performance today, tomorrow and every day in the future.

The most effective means of preventing loading zone fatalities lies with a continuous education campaign of the motoring public of the rules that prohibit drivers from passing stopped school buses.

Please observe these rules of the road pertaining to school buses:

• On a two-lane road, traffic must stop in both directions when the red lights flash and the school bus’s stop signal is extended. Traffic must use caution when the flashing lights are amber and drivers must be prepared to stop.
• On a multiple-lane road, traffic traveling in the same direction of a school bus with flashing red lights and stop signal must stop behind the bus.
• Be prepared for a sudden stop any time you are driving near a school bus.
• There also are rules of the road that must be observed when driving through posted school zones — the roadways adjacent to school properties.
• The general speed limit in a school zone drops to 20 miles per hour during school hours when children are present.
• It is unlawful for drivers to talk on cell phones while driving in a school zone.

I am extremely proud of the record we have achieved and in the protection we have afforded our school children. Among our most sacred responsibilities as adults is to ensure that our children are safe as they travel to and from school.

White is currently serving his third term as Illinois secretary of state. His office produced the Toby the Tire School Bus Safety Program.