POSTED: Friday, Jul. 30, 2010

Bellingham school bus driver wins international safety title

BELLINGHAM - A substitute driver for the Bellingham School District is one of the safest school bus drivers in the U.S. and Canada, according to the National School Transportation Association.

Mark Miller, who has been driving buses for a little over a year, took home the top award for the largest bus group at the 40th annual School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in St. Louis on Sunday, July 25.

"I was absolutely on cloud nine," he said, adding that he didn't hear his name announced because everyone was cheering so loudly. "I was so excited to be able to represent Washington well, represent Bellingham, and get the title, the highest available to school bus drivers."

It was only the third time a Washington driver has won, and the first time since 1995.

Miller is the first to admit his short, whirlwind trip to the top is an odd story. The Allegiant Airlines captain was looking for something to fill his free time last spring and thought working part time driving a "big yellow bus" could be fun.

During his certification training in May 2009, Miller was recruited to be on the competitive bus-driving team.

"I thought I was just signing up for bringing kids to and from school," the 30-year-old said. "I had no idea there was competitive bus driving."

A couple weeks after getting his certification, he competed in his first regional "roadeo." Not only did he earn the highest rookie score, he had the highest score overall, stunning everyone, including himself. After that, he was hooked, continuing on to win the state competition in 2009 and the regional, state and international competitions in 2010.

The international competition, which dates back to 1971, allows top drivers from each state and Canadian province to compete in one of three divisions: transit-style buses, which tend to be the largest and feature flat fronts; conventional-style buses, which feature the engine in the nose of the bus; and small buses. Miller competed in the transit class.

Regardless of the class, competitors face three types of tests during the two-day competition: a written test about rules and laws, a pre-trip inspection, and a driving test.

The driving portion is the biggest part, with drivers having to demonstrate 10 different "maximum performance maneuvers that are barely possible even if you do them correctly," Miller said.

For example, drivers have to parallel park a 40-foot transit bus into a 46-foot opening, on the first try, with the front and back tires ending within three inches of the curb. If the curb or barricade is hit, no points are awarded.

"He is the most technically perfect driver I have instructed," wrote district driver trainer Rae Anne Thon in an e-mail. "But more important than that, he really enjoys driving kids to and from school."

Though drivers are competing only for bragging rights and a bright yellow jacket, Miller is looking forward to defending his title for many years to come.

"I foresee driving school buses for the next 50 years," he said. "I just started my retirement job 30 years ahead of schedule."