Surprise roadside bus inspections by officials with the New York State Department of Transportation now number 1,286 since a crackdown on bus safety was launched March 17. Some 124 drivers and 96 buses have been pulled off the road during that time. The inspections were sparked by the I-95 bus crash that killed 15 people on March 12 in New York City. Of the 302 inspections done in the New York City area, 55 drivers and 59 buses have been banned. All face serious violations. NYSDOT officials continue a crackdown on bus drivers who may try to fraudulently obtain CDLs. So far, 13 bus drivers have been charged with submitting false paperwork. For more, visit www.empirestatenews.net.
