School Bus Driver Training

1. School Bus Driver Training Unit C Student Loading and Unloading

2. Objectives • At the end of this session school bus operators will be able to: • Recognize why loading and unloading are the most dangerous situations when transporting students • Know laws and regulations regarding the use of the eight-way light system • Demonstrate proper loading and unloading procedures

3. Loading and Unloading Fatalities • Student was waiting in his parent’s vehicle across the street from the school bus stop. As the school bus slowed to approach the stop with its amber lights flashing, the student exited his mother’s vehicle and darted in front of an oncoming vehicle. The student was struck and killed. (6-year-old male) • A student was waiting at his bus stop when a car drove up on the sidewalk striking the student from behind. The student was killed. (10-year-old male)

4. Loading and Unloading Fatalities • A student exited the school bus and crossed the street. The bus driver completed student drop off and pulled up to make a left turn. As the driver was turning, the student chose to run toward the bus and slipped on the ice and slid under the bus, being run over by the left rear duals. (9-year-old male)

5. Loading and Unloading Fatalities • Student was exiting her bus after dark at her bus stop. An oncoming vehicle failed to stop for the flashing school bus lights and struck her with the left front bumper. There was no evidence that the driver applied the brakes. The student died without regaining consciousness. (5-year-old female) • Student was run over and killed by the left rear wheels of her school bus after she had exited the bus. (5-year-old female)

6. Loading / Unloading Area • Danger zones • Tools to mitigate the danger • Education • Safety devices

7. Danger Zone • Area of greatest risk • 10 ft area immediately around the bus • Two most dangerous zones • Just in front of bus • Behind the bus to the buses’ rear wheels • Two significant risks • Children struck by passing motorist • Children run over by bus

8. Danger Zone

9. Tools to Mitigate the Danger • Education • Left to the school bus driver • Includes : • Bus stop behavior • Boarding • On-board behavior • Exiting • Safe arrival at home

10. Tools to Mitigate the Danger • Safety devices • Eight-way light system • Side stop sign • Crossing arm

11. Loading / Unloading Procedures • Load students at designated bus stops • Students should stand 10’+ back from edge of highway • Students should be on-time • Don’t speed to make up lost time • Look for missing students – they may be rushing to the bus SAFETY BEFORE SCHEDULE

12. Loading Procedures • Approach and check • Stop • Load • Check and proceed

13. Approach and Check • Evaluate bus stops while slowing on approach • Pedestrians • Traffic • People who do not belong • Look for late-arriving students • Activate amber flashing lights • Between 150 and 300 feet before bus stop • Brake with transmission in gear • Check traffic • Give care to the road surface as you approach students

14. Stop • Come to a complete stop • Apply the parking brake • Place the transmission in neutral • Open the front door slightly, activating red lights and stop arm • Check traffic • Open door completely

15. Load • Teach your students not to move toward the bus until the bus stops and the door opens. • Watch for illegally passing motorists! • Students should board the bus • Slowly • Single file • Using the handrail • Count students • Seat students according to your transportation company’s or school district’s policy

16. Seating • Seating capacity is limited • Passengers may not stand • Seating charts may be helpful • If using a seating chart, consider: • Your route • Students’ medical needs • Students’ ages • Evacuation • Need for supervision

17. Check and Proceed • Prepare to leave • Account for expected students • Check all mirrors around the bus • Shut the front door, de-activating safety devices • Proceed to next stop • Check mirrors • Place transmission into gear • Release parking brake • Check child safety • Re-check mirrors • Proceed

18. Unloading Procedures • Approach and check • Stop • Unload • Check and proceed

19. Approach and Check • Slow down in preparation for the stop • Use mirrors to check traffic conditions • Activate the amber flashing lights between 150’ and 300’ to signal the upcoming stop to other road users • Do not allow students to stand until the bus is fully stopped • Check traffic to be sure the stop is safe

20. Stop • Come to a complete stop • Set the parking brake • Place the transmission in neutral • Open door slightly, activating the red lights and stop arm. • Check traffic • Open door completely

21. Unload • Permit students to leave the bus only at assigned stops, unless they have written permission • Allow students to exit • Orderly • Count passengers • Observe their actions after leaving the bus to be sure they move away from the danger zones

22. Check and Proceed • Check all mirrors around the bus • Be sure students are not returning to the bus • For traffic and pedestrians • Shut the front door to de-activate the safety devices • Proceed to the next stop • Check mirrors • Put the transmission in gear • Release the parking brake • Check child safety • Re-check mirrors • Proceed • WHEN IN DOUBT, • CHECK IT OUT!

23. Unique Dangers of Loading and Unloading • Dropped or forgotten objects • Handrail dangers • Schools (location) • Students left on the bus

24. Enforcing the School Bus Stopping Law • Title 75, Section 3345 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code • On highways not separated by a physical barrier • Traffic in all directions stops at least 10’ before bus • Until every child has entered the bus (loading) • Until every child has reached the sidewalk or side of highway (unloading) • On highways separated by a physical barrier • Traffic in same direction stops

25. ALL TRAFFIC MUST STOP Red lights activated Must Stop Must Stop Enforcing the School Bus Stopping Law

26. Red lights activated Must Stop Ridged/Grooved Roadway surface Enforcing the School Bus Stopping Law

27. Enforcing the School Bus Stopping Law • When a school bus is stopped at an intersection to load or unload students • Vehicles approaching the intersection from any direction must stop • Emergency vehicles must also stop if the red lights are flashing. After stopping, they may proceed: • Only after exercising ‘due diligence’ and caution for the safety of the students • Only if they do not risk student safety

28. Enforcing the School Bus Stopping Law Red lights activated Must Stop Must Stop

29. OTHER School Buses When lights are flashing, STOP! Exception: median barrier on divided highway

30. Scenario 1 A school district has a bus stop assigned to 12 Main Street where it has been for years. This year, a new family at 18 Main Street insists on having their child wait in their driveway 3 houses down from the existing stop. Since the student is in Kindergarten, the bus driver decides to add the extra stop since it will not take too much additional time. Is this ok?

31. Scenario 2 You’re on your afternoon route, dropping off elementary school students. It’s pouring rain. Many of your riders are out sick, so you’re running a little early because you don’t have as many stops to make. As you approach the next stop, you see the student’s mother one block away from the stop approaching with an umbrella. Since only her child gets off at this stop, you pass the designated stop and stop a block away where the mother is waiting with an umbrella so the child doesn’t get soaked. Is this ok?