First round of ISP school bus inspections coming to an end

Senior Trooper Tyler Van Ness of the ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division checks out a Southwest Parke Community Schools bus Tuesday as part of the annual school bus inspection process.

PUTNAMVILLE -- Tuesday morning, the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division completed the first round of annual school bus inspections within the Putnamville District.

The inspections are required to transport students for the new school year. Nearly 800 buses were inspected within the Putnamville District which is comprised of Putnam, Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay and Sullivan counties.

During the inspections, troopers found some violations, mostly minor, and the affected school corporations were notified.

The repairs were quickly made, the buses re-inspected and ultimately issued the annual inspection sticker. Troopers examined such items as steering and braking components, drive-train components, emergency exits, mirrors, tires, stop arms and more.

Senior Trooper Tyler Van Ness of the ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, who conducts the inspections noted, "While the majority of our buses are in great condition, the South Vermillion School Corporation was the only corporation where all of the buses passed during the first inspection for a 100 percent initial approval rating."

In addition to the buses, Trooper Van Ness audited the drug and alcohol compliance records for the drivers in all of the corporations listed and found no violations.