WEST JORDAN, Utah -- School bus drivers from across Utah came to West Jordan Saturday and competed to be the safest and most skilled driver in the Beehive State.
The Utah State Safety Skill Competition tested drivers' abilities and gave them a score, and it was held at Jordan School District Transportation in West Jordan.
It’s all in an effort to keep our kids as safe as possible. Lynnie Casper, a bus driver for 20 years, came from Wasatch County to compete.
“It isn't as easy as people think,” Casper said. “They think that we just get behind the wheel and we take off, but we don't. We are trained. We love it. We wouldn't do it if we didn't love it. We have a special connection with kids, and that’s why we are on the road.”
Casper said the tough part was learning to drive a bus and constantly adapting to different conditions. The fun part is connecting with the children.
“We love and care for them,” Casper said. “I'm even going to graduation this year, not because I have my own personal children graduating, it's because I have children in my bus that I have known since they were little, and I want to go and see them make that step into life.”
Whoever wins the contest on Saturday will move on to nationals.
