MCS School Bus ‘Roadeo’ Tests Driver Skills, Abilities

The annual Marietta City Schools (MCS) Bus “Roadeo” competition on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, begins at 9:30 a.m. at Lockheed-Martin Aeronautics Company located across from 625 South Cobb Drive in Marietta.

The event concludes with an awards ceremony at the MCS Transportation depot located at 145 Dodd Street in Marietta.

“This is a competitive activity that our school bus drivers look forward to every year because it provides a great way for drivers to hone those bus driving skills that are most useful when on a school bus route,” said Mark Lindstrom, MCS Transportation Director. “The competition stresses school bus safety and helps develop public awareness about the responsibilities and abilities needed to drive a school bus.”

“This year, 21 contestants are expected to compete for the Michael Cochran Memorial Driver Award presented to the first place winner in honor of Michael Cochran our former Director of Transportation who passed away unexpectedly last year. He was a veteran and retiree of the U.S. Air Force,” added Lindstrom.

The annual MCS Bus “Roadeo” event tests bus driver skills through a series of maneuvers and road tests including the serpentine, the “Offset Alley,” parallel parking and the newest event this year — reverse serpentine, among others.

Drivers lose points for hitting cones or barriers, using more than one attempt to turn or back up, exceeding precision distance measurements, failing to follow proper procedures and other errors.