LMSD's John Welsh wins bus safety competition, team places third overall

LMSD bus driver John Welsh (pictured, far left) is the winner of the 2011 Montgomery-Bucks School Bus Drivers Safety Competition. Eighty-two school bus drivers from 11 Bucks and Montgomery County school districts competed in the event -- commonly known as the "School Bus ROAD-EO" -- held last week at Central Bucks South High School. The event includes a 12-part bus inspection, written exam and comprehensive driving test. During one part of the test, drivers had to navigate through a 100-foot-long gauntlet of poles that narrowed until there were just two inches of clearance on either side of the bus. The overall winner (team and individual) is determined by the highest combined score in the twelve event components. A Pennsylvania state trooper was among the team of judges who observed and rated each bus driver.

Welsh earned his third individual title at the competition and has established himself as one of the most accomplished drivers in the area.

"I try to take each obstacle one at a time," said Welsh. "If I do good or bad, I try to move onto the next obstacle and do the best I can on it."

Welsh also noted that the competition is a reminder of the special bond he shared with his father, who passed away three years ago.

"My father came to these competitions to watch me for many years," Welsh explained. "Whenever I placed in one and my name was called, he loved it - we are both John. He would tell me afterwards how much he liked hearing his name called. I always say 'Let's do this, Dad' before I start out. He is my navigator from above."

Lower Merion placed third in the team competition, missing second place by just one point. Lower Merion's team included Welsh, Ted Dubbs, Beth McGowan, Kim Bringhurst and Leo Alfonso. Dubbs, in just his first year with the District, placed sixth. McGowan placed tenth. Dubbs and McGowan will join Welsh at the Pennsylvania State Competition to be held in June in State College.

"Again this year, our team exemplifies the outstanding quality of all Lower Merion school bus drivers," said LMSD Transportation Foreman Rich Segal. "We are so proud of our Road-EO team and we wish John, Ted, and Beth good luck and continued success at the state competition."

Additional resources:

• Lower Merion school bus driver keeps skills sharp by scoring at national competitions 10-7-11, Click here.
• Lower Merion bus driver is a safety champ 9-28-11, Click here