Jeff Butson is a 12 year veteran school bus driver in Christian County Kentucky.

He traveled to Cabell County West Virginia for this year's Southeastern School Bus Safety Road-e-o.

"It's very good practice. There are time you get in situations you don't expect," said Butson.

Butson helped set up this year's 12 different events taking place on Cabell Midland High School's parking lot.

He and other drivers say manuvering big yellow is a real skill.

"We get down to inches on several events," said organizer and retired Kentucky school bus driver Roger Kerns.

More than 30 drivers from as far away as Florida and Alabama are competing for individual event prizes and an overall prize of $500.

"It gives the driver recognition, plus it really enhances their skills," said Kerns.

"This is all for the kids. This is supposedly to make us do a better job," added Butson.

The hope is that doing the road-e-o with an empty bus will help drivers do a better job when the bus is full.

This is the 21st year for the Southeastern School Bus Safety Road-e-o and Cabell County's first year hosting the event.

The region covers 13 states, but this year many districts did not send participants, saying high gas prices were a factor.