This year’s NCAA Division I Basketball Tournaments, which run March 15 - April 4, will be unlike any previous March Madness due to strict COVID-19 protocols. The entire men’s championship will be played in Indiana, with the majority of the tournament’s 67 games taking place in Indianapolis, while San Antonio will host the women’s event in its entirety. College teams across the country have been working all year for the chance to compete on the national stage, but for many bus operators, these tournaments could be their first big deployment since the lockdown began a year ago.

If your company has been contracted to provide transportation during this year’s March Madness in either location, we recommend that you consider the following to help ensure things go safely and smoothly:

If your vehicles have been idled and moved to our Temporary Vehicle Suspension Program, inform your insurance broker which vehicles are being put back into service so the liability insurance coverage is reinstated BEFORE THE VEHICLE GOES BACK ON THE ROAD.
Complete a detailed vehicle inspection, particularly if your units have been sitting idle for an extended period. Refer to the owner’s manual for the vehicle manufacturers’ recommended guidelines or contact the manufacturer for a list of vehicle components that should be checked.
Test drive your vehicles, especially if they have been idle for some time. Doing so can help identify potential problems.
Provide refresher driver training. Drivers who have been sitting idle during the coronavirus pandemic may benefit from some quick training refreshers. Check out Lancer’s SafetyStop Blog for valuable safety information, how-tos and reminders.
Ensure that any required drug and alcohol testing is up to date before allowing drivers to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Review §382.301 Pre-Employment Testing and §382.305 Random Testing, and visit the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse for further guidance.
Make sure that driver records (e.g., licenses, medical certifications) are current. Consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) CDL Waiver – 2.16.2021 for more information.
Consult with the event coordinating company to confirm routes; verify drop off, pick up, waiting locations; obtain parking authorization; and determine what procedures in regards to social distancing, vehicle cleaning, and personal protective equipment you need to implement. The NCAA has specific guidelines for tournament bus travel that sketch out passenger seating, mask mandates and more.
Make sure your drivers are well-rested and pre-plan their travel routes before departing. If using GPS devices, be sure they are specifically designed for commercial motor vehicles and updated with the latest maps and software. Also, advise drivers to check road and weather conditions prior to leaving, and along the way as situations can change rapidly this time of year.
Have drivers complete pre-trip vehicle inspections as prescribed by federal regulations, paying particular attention to tires, windshield wipers and headlights.
Encourage drivers to allow plenty of space around their vehicle to create more time and space to react to any possible dangers. While you may have multiple motorcoaches participating in the event, DO NOT CONVOY. Drivers should not “follow” the bus ahead, but operate their vehicle independently within a larger group of vehicles. Therefore, drivers should maintain a minimum of six seconds of following distance – more if conditions are less than ideal – and scan as far ahead as possible for potential hazards.
Urge drivers to adhere to all traffic laws and safety regulations while driving. That includes obeying the posted speed limit, adjusting their speed to weather and road conditions, observing traffic signs and signals, giving plenty of notice before turning or changing lanes, and complying with hours of service regulations (March Madness does NOT qualify as COVID-19 Emergency Relief under the Emergency Declaration).
If you are a Lancer insured, please REPORT ALL ACCIDENTS TO LANCER IMMEDIATELY – no matter how large or small and regardless of fault – to 800-521-6155 (or 833-757-5629).

For more important driver safety tips, please view our City Driving Hazards video series.