School officials to ban bus drivers from cell phone use

State school officials are step closer to taking cell phones out of the hands of bus drivers.

During Thursday's meeting, the Utah State Board of Education gave preliminary approval for a revision of its school bus operation rule that would ban operators from using a cell phone, wireless electronic device or other equipment that might distract them while driving.

Use of cell phones and other electronic devices would be allowed once the bus was safely parked.

Final approval of the rule is scheduled for the Board's Feb. 6 meeting.