There have been an increase in violent acts against public transportation drivers. Bus drivers especially, have been assaulted even unprovoked. Being a city bus operator is stressful enough with traffic, schedules, construction, and weather conditions. The one place a driver should not have to worry about their safety is while they are in the driver's seat. There are also non-violent incidences, where a passenger obstructs a driver's view. These passengers want to know how to get somewhere so, they will put their phones or paper with an address directly in front of a driver's face!

I believe that a lot of these acts of violence and incidences against drivers would be almost non-existent, with the help of a driver's barrier. I feel that it should be a mandatory requirement for city transportation nationwide. I do not believe that individuals who have not drove public transportation, recently or ever, should be able to determine our safety. Most cities do not allow drivers to carry any form of self-defense on their person. So, drivers are left vulnerable. Getting help can take over 5mins to respond. That's too long! I want to start a petition for mandatory transportation barriers, to urge lawmakers to make this a priority. To show drivers everywhere that their safety matters.

I started this petition because...
I have been a bus operator in Ohio for almost 6yrs. I have been threatened numerous times. I have co-workers that have been assaulted, both physically battered or with bodily fluids. I continue to hear stories all over the states, of drivers being assaulted. Unfortunately, the job of a bus driver is getting worse. I have dealt with unruly teens, individuals with mental illness, and people who have been in and out of prison. My stress is at an all time high. I have been told several different reasons why we do not have barriers. The last was that an individual in a position of authority, did not want us to have them. He did not want our passengers feeling unsafe, or feeling that the driver is cut off from them. This individual never drove a bus. This individual does not understand the stress we drivers feel daily. I am actually moving on to another career but, I still have the concerns of my fellow drivers' safety in mind.