WASHINGTON — A school bus driver caught by students texting and driving behind the wheel in Upper Marlboro is still employed by the school system.
The cellphone video taken by a student and obtained by NBC Washington shows a school bus driver texting as the Route 12 bus is in motion on its way to to James Madison Middle School in Prince George’s County.
“Texting while driving is not tolerated in our district and those who are found doing so are subject to disciplinary action,” says Sherrie Johnson with the Prince George’s County schools.
One parent told NBC Washington that students have sometimes not gotten to school until 10 a.m. — a half-hour late.
The driver remains employed pending a review. Johnson says at worst, she’ll be temporarily suspended and has the right to appeal.
“But we area looking at reviewing our policy in the future to include termination,” Johnson says.
The county transports 80,000 kids a day to and from class.
Maryland drivers are prohibited from texting while driving. In Maryland, bus drivers are prohibited from using handheld cellphones and from texting.
Watch the video from NBC Washington:
