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Okeechobee County conducts bus crash drill

Posted at 9:33 AM, Aug 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-02 17:07:25-04

The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office and fire and rescue crews held a mock bus crash at the fairgrounds Tuesday morning.

The drill was meant to remind bus drivers to remain focused and in control at all times. 

The scenario in the drill was a driver distracted by students fighting on the bus. 

Lorraine Watson, a trainer for the Okeechobee County School District, says the simulation gave drivers the chance to think about what they would do if put in a similar situation. 

One driver believes the drill was also an opportunity to teach parents about the dangers drivers face when others break common-sense rules. 

"People pay no attention to a school bus, they pay no attention to the lights, the signals, nothing. I mean they'll blow by you doing 70 mph and you're picking up kids. This could be your life in my hands."

An open house is being held Monday, Aug. 8 in Okeechobee County.  The first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 10.