NTSB recommendation sparks discussion about alcohol-detection technology on school buses after MNPS crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A recent Metro Nashville Public Schools bus crash is renewing conversations about whether technology could help prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel of a school bus.

In May, Metro Nashville Police said an MNPS special education bus driver was charged with DUI after crashing into a parked vehicle while on the way to pick up students. No children were on board at the time, and no injuries were reported.

The crash comes as the National Transportation Safety Board is recommending alcohol-detection systems on newly manufactured school buses following a 2024 crash in West Virginia that injured 19 students and involved an impaired driver.

Investigators concluded that alcohol impairment contributed to the West Virginia crash and said alcohol-detection systems could help prevent impaired drivers from operating school buses.

While cases involving impaired school bus drivers are relatively uncommon, they are not unheard of. A national investigation by Stateline found at least 118 school bus drivers were arrested or cited on suspicion of driving under the influence over a five-year period.

One technology being discussed is an ignition interlock device, which functions similarly to a breathalyzer connected to a vehicle’s ignition system.

Before a vehicle can start, the driver must provide a breath sample.

Kathy Boden Holland, a transportation safety advocate, CEO of Mindr and mother of two teenagers, believes technology like that could help prevent future incidents.

“That would have been prevented. That driver would not be behind the wheel and heading to pick students up,” Holland said when asked about the recent MNPS crash.

Holland said the technology requires drivers to provide a breath sample before starting the vehicle.

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“The driver would have to provide a breath sample. If you fail, you cannot start the vehicle. The bus literally will not start,” Holland said.

Metro Nashville Public Schools told WSMV4 that it has not developed plans to pilot alcohol-detection technology or ignition interlock systems on its bus fleet.

District leaders said they are aware of the NTSB recommendations and will continue monitoring developments and best practices in student transportation safety.

“While our existing safety protocols include driver screening, training and compliance requirements, we remain open to exploring additional safeguards that could help strengthen student safety in the future,” the district said in a statement.

The NTSB recommendation is not currently a federal requirement. Additional action would be needed before alcohol-detection systems could become mandatory on school buses nationwide.