According to a recent nationwide survey by the Dubai Road and Transit Authority, school bus drivers are perceived as the safest on the road. Still, a third of respondents want to see tougher regulations as to how buses are operated, according to a report about the study published by The National.

According to the report, Neither the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority nor Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport requires drivers to have a minimum number of years of experience to get their School Bus Driving Permit. However, they do require applicants to be at least 25 years old, hold a prior UAE driver’s permit, complete a school bus driver basic course and pass a theoretical test, hold a “no criminal precedents certificate” from the police, have a disease-free certificate and proof of drug and alcohol-free status, and speak English and Arabic.

An even greater proportion of survey respondents supported tougher background checks, including an alcohol breathalyzer test before every shift, according to the report.

In addition, respondents had little tolerance for speeding, with 90 percent supporting the banning of drivers who speed, according to the report. Respondents also believed that buses should be checked monthly to make sure they are still roadworthy.