School Bus Driver Training

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School Bus Driver Training

• Unit F
• Safe Driving

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Objectives

• At the end of this session school bus operators
  will be able to
• Describe the basic elements of safe driving,
  including primary causes of crashes and methods
  to reduce those crash risks
• Articulate an awareness of limitations of the bus
  and of the driver
• Develop an ability to recognize potential dangers
  associated with driver, vehicle, natural, and
  man-made conditions
• Know the steps necessary to successfully
  negotiate hazardous situations

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Why Road Safety is Important

• In the United States each year
• Over 6 million reportable crashes
• Over 2.5 million people injured
• Over 40,000 people killed
• Rate 1.5/100MVM
• Crashes cost 230.6 billion

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Putting this into Perspective

• Crashes are the leading cause of death for people
  between the ages of 3 and 33
• An average of 117 persons die each day in motor
  vehicle crashes one every 12 minutes
• Daily financial loss is 630 million per day

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Putting this into Perspective

• One road departure fatality occurs every 21
  minutes
• One intersection fatality occurs every hour
• One pedestrian fatality occurs about every two
  hours

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High Cost of Crashes
Average cost per Crash
Crash Severity of

• Property damage only 6000
• Serious injury 180,000
• Fatality accident 3,100,000

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The Good News?

• School bus transportation is safe!
• Safest mode of ground transportation
• In Pennsylvania, 5,839 total crashes over 10
  years
• Less than ½ of the total crashes in PA!
• In only 36 of those crashes the school bus was
  considered the prime unit or about 1/10 of 1
  percent

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Crash Causes

• Human factors
• Vehicle factors
• Roadway environment

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Crash Causes
Roadway
Driver
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93
Vehicle
12
10
Crash Causes

• Driver behavior
• Speeding
• Failure to use safety belts
• Aggressive driving

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Crash Causes

• Roadway Environment
• Roadway design
• Roadside hazards
• Roadway conditions

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Crash Causes

• Vehicle Factors
• Failures in vehicle or its design
• Brakes
• Tires
• Poor or neglected maintenance

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Pennsylvania School Bus Crashes

• Most people involved in school bus crashes,
  whether occupants of the buses or of other
  vehicles involved, were uninjured.
• Among persons injured in these crashes, most
  injuries were suffered by occupants of other
  vehicles, not by occupants of the school buses or
  school vehicles.

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Pennsylvania School Bus Crashes

• Top five driver actions implicated when school
  bus was the prime unit (main contributor)
• Failure to Stop (21.3)
• Other Improper Driving (20.2)
• Improper Turn (16.7)
• Speeding (9.5)
• Tailgating (8.6)
• NOTE Backing (5.4)
• Most crashes occur in urban areas (74.7)

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(No Transcript)
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Rear-end Collisions Crash Factors Crash Factors Crash Factors
Crash Factors Odds of Collision
1. Driver Action Tailgating Tailgating 61 Not Tailgating 1
2. Driver Gender Males 1.5 Females 1
3. Number of Improper Driving Violations 1 or More Violations 1.5 No Violations 1
Interpretation Drivers in rear-end collisions are
very likely to be noted as tailgating. They are
somewhat more likely to be males then females,
and to have one or more improper driving
violations on record.
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Head-on Collisions Crash Factors Crash Factors Crash Factors
Crash Factors Odds of Crashing
1. Driver Action Wrong Side of Road Wrong Side 22 Not Wrong Side 1
2. Road Surface Condition Dry Road 2 Not 1
Interpretation Drivers in head-on collisions are
very likely to be noted as driving on the wrong
side of the road. The road surface is more
likely to be dry than wet or snow/ice covered.
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Backing Collisions Crash Factors Crash Factors Crash Factors
Crash Factors Odds of Crashing
1. Driver Action Careless Backing Careless Backing 610 Not Careless Backing 1
2. Weather Condition Clear Clear Weather 4 Inclement Weather 1
Interpretation Drivers in backing collisions are
very likely to be noted for careless backing.
The weather is more likely to be clear than
inclement.
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Angle Collisions Crash Factors Crash Factors Crash Factors
Crash Factors Odds of Crashing
1. Driver Action Fail to Stop Fail to Stop 33 Not Fail to Stop 1
2. Illumination Dark Dark 3 Not Dark 1
3. Any Adverse Environmental Conditions No Adverse Conditions 2 Adverse Conditions 1
4. Number of Fail to Stop Violations 1 or More Violations 1.25 No Violations 1
Interpretation Drivers in angle collisions are
very likely to be noted for failing to stop.
These collisions are more likely to occur at
night with no adverse conditions (no wind, rain,
deer on road, etc.). These drivers may have
previous fail to stop violations on record.
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Sideswipe Same Direction Collisions Crash Factors Crash Factors Crash Factors
Crash Factors Odds of Crashing
1. Driver Action Careless Passing or Lane Change Careless Passing 157 Not Careless Passing 1
2. Number of Speeding Violations No Violations 1.75 1 or More Violations 1
Interpretation Drivers in sideswipe same
direction collisions are very likely to be noted
for careless passing or lane change. They may
have previous speeding violations on record.
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Sideswipe Opposite Direction Collisions Crash Factors Crash Factors Crash Factors
Crash Factors Odds of Crashing
1. Driver Action Wrong Side of Road Wrong Side 8 Not Wrong Side 1
2. Any Adverse Environmental Conditions Adverse Conditions 3 No Adverse Conditions 1
3. Number of DUI Violations 1 or More Violations 2 No Violations 1
Interpretation Drivers in sideswipe opposite
direction collisions are likely to be noted as
driving on the wrong side of the road. Adverse
environmental conditions (e.g., wind, rain, deer
on road) are likely. These drivers may have
previous DUI violations on record.
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Hit Fixed Object Collisions Crash Factors Crash Factors Crash Factors
Crash Factors Odds of Crashing
1. Driver Action Speeding/Too Fast for Conditions Speeding 4 Not Speeding 1
2. Driver Gender Females 2 Males 1
3. Road Surface Condition Dry Road 1.75 Not 1
4. Weather Condition Clear Clear Weather 1.25 Inclement Weather 1
Interpretation Drivers in hit fixed object
collisions are likely to be noted as speeding/too
fast for conditions. These drivers are more
likely to be female than male. These collisions
are more likely to occur on dry roads in clear
weather.
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Hit Pedestrian Collisions Crash Factors Crash Factors Crash Factors
Crash Factors Odds of Crashing
1. Driver Action Other Improper Driving Other Improper Driving 8 Not Other Improper Driving 1
Interpretation Drivers in hit pedestrian
collisions are likely to be noted as other
improper driving.
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Solutions?

• This Unit will examine things YOU can do to help
  reduce the collisions just discussed.

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The Driving Task

• Three phases
• Information
• Decision
• Action

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The Driving Task

• Three phases apply to all processes
• Loading students
• Unloading students
• Using radio
• Braking
• Steering
• Shifting

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Information
As drivers, we all have to make assumptions when
we drive
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How many triangles?
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Information - Sight
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Information Touch and Hearing
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Decision
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Right or Left?
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Decision Example 1
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Decision Example 2
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Preventing Decision Errors

• Pay attention
• Spread decision points
• Adequate sight distance
• Advance warning or information

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Action
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Vehicles Influence Action

• How many?
• How fast?
• What kind?

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Roads Influence Action

• Traffic control
• Surface
• Geometry

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Road Users Influence Action

• Novice
• Older
• Pedestrians
• Walkers
• Truckers
• Cyclists

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Your JOB Influences Action

• Distractions
• Unique nature of work
• Student passengers
• Responsibilities

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Question

• If it all starts with Information, where do we
  get information when we drive?

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Traffic Control Devices (TCDs)
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Driver Conditions Knowledge

• Why are traffic control devices important to the
  driving task?
• KNOWLEDGE!
• Regulations
• Principles
• Signs
• Pavement markings
• Traffic signals

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What is a Traffic Control Device?

• Sign
• Signal
• Pavement Marking
• Other (miscellaneous)

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Why are TCDsImportant to School Bus Drivers?

• COMMUNICATION
• Information phase

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Traffic Control Device Principles

• Fulfill a need
• Command attention
• Command respect
• Have a simple, clear meaning
• Allow adequate time for response

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Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

• National standard for all traffic control devices
  on public roads

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Traffic Signs

• Functional class
• Regulatory
• Warning
• Guide

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Regulatory Signs

• Used to control actions of road users
• Require law, ordinance, or regulation
• Authority varies with agency

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Stop Signs

• Octagonal in shape
• Red and white in color
• What do you do with pedestrians?
• What about student loading unloading?
• What do you do with cross traffic?
• Where do you stop? What if there is a crosswalk?
• Rolling stops

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Multiway Stops

• Stop signs at each approach
• What do you do if you arrive first?
• What happens if two vehicles reach the
  intersection at the same time?

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Yield Signs

• Triangular (3-sided) in shape
• Who has right-of-way?
• When do you proceed?
• Is this the same as merge?

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Turn Restrictions

• Symbol signs
• Prohibit unsafe movements

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Speed Limits

• Maximum legal speed
• Reasonable and prudent driver

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Warning Signs

• Warn of conditions on or near road
• Posted in advance of condition
• Overuse reduces effectiveness

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What do These Signs Mean?
A curve where there is a potential for a vehicle
roll over
Curve to the right with a recommended speed
Slippery When Wet
Lane Ends
Narrow Bridge
Cross Road
Pedestrian Crossing
School Advanced Warning
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Object Markers

• Objects adjacent to the roadway
• Bridge piers, abutments, culvert headwalls

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Work Zone Signs

• Orange and black
• Diagonal shape
• Maintenance, construction, or utility work
• Stay alert
• Exercise extra caution
• Slow down

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Work Zone Signs
Indicates work is in progress on the roadway
Indicates which lane is closed
Indicates traffic flow is controlled by a person
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Work Zones
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Guide Signs

• Provide navigational information
• Guide and inform
• Minimize confusion

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Pavement Markings

• Convey warnings or information without diverting
  attention from road
• Convey certain regulation and warning such as no
  parking or pedestrian walkways
• Used alone, produce results other devices cant
  such as passing zones or through intersections

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Pavement Markings

• Longitudinal pavement markings
• Yellow delineate traffic flow in opposite
  direction
• White delineate traffic flow in same direction
• Red delineate roadways that shall not be
  entered
• Blue delineate parking spaces for people with
  disabilities
• Transverse markings are usually white

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Pavement Markings

• What does a single broken centerline mean?

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Pavement Markings

• What does a double solid yellow centerline mean?

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Pavement Markings

• What does a combination solid yellow and broken
  yellow centerline mean?

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Pavement Markings

• What does this pattern mean?

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Pavement Markings

• What do these pavement markings communicate?

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Pavement Markings

• What do these pavement markings communicate?

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Edge Lines

• Generally used with center lines
• Road shifts or narrows
• Guide past obstacles
• Mark paved shoulders
• Use these for guidance in poor weather conditions!

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Transverse Lines

• Stop lines
• Railroad clearance lines
• Crosswalks

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Traffic Signals

• Power operated device by which motorists are
  warned or directed to take a specific action
• Help assign right-of-way
• Help control intersection traffic flow

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Signal Terminology

• Signal Face
• Contains 3, 4, or 5 sections
• Signal Section
• Each light is a section
• Must be red, green, or yellow
• Modern sections are 12 diameter

Section
Face
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Signal Terminology

• Interval - Period of time that one color
  illuminates on the signal face

Red Interval
Yellow Interval
Green Interval
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Traffic Signals

• What do you do?
• Right turn?
• One way street?
• Pedestrians?

Red Interval
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Traffic Signals

• What do you do?

Yellow Interval
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Traffic Signals

• What do you do?
• Pedestrians?

Green Interval
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Traffic Signals

• Flashing red and flashing yellow
• What do you do?

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Driver Conditions Expectancy

• What drivers expect of the road
• Surprise is bad!

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Expectancy Example 1
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Expectancy Example 1 (cont.)
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Expectancy Example 1 (cont.)
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Driver Conditions

• So far, weve discussed KNOWLEDGE and EXPECTENCY
• What other driver condition is critical to safely
  operating a bus?
• Health!

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Driver Health

• Annual physical exam
• Occasional illness
• Alcohol and drugs
• Pennsylvania has zero tolerance for drug and
  alcohol use by school bus and school vehicle
  drivers. Refer to Sections 1612, 1606 and 3802
  of Title 75.

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Alcohol and Driving
FALSE TRUE
Alcohol enhances your ability to drive. Alcohol is a drug that will make you less alert and reduce your ability to drive safely.
Some people can drink a lot and not be affected by it. Everyone who drinks is affected by alcohol.
If you eat a lot first, you wont get drunk. Food will not keep you from getting drunk.
Coffee and a little fresh air will help a drinker sober up. Only time will help a drinker sober up other methods just dont work.
Stick with beer its not as strong as wine or whiskey. A few beers are the same as a few shots of whiskey or a few glasses of wine.
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What is a Drink?

• All of the following drinks contain the same
  amount of alcohol
• 12 oz glass of 5 beer
• 5 oz glass of 12 wine
• 1 ½ oz shot of 80 proof liquor

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How does Alcohol Affect Driving?

• Slower reactions to hazards
• Driving too fast or too slow
• Driving in the wrong lane
• Running over the curb
• Weaving
• Straddling lanes
• Quick, jerky starts
• Not signaling, failure to use lights
• Running stop signs and red lights
• Improper passing

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Drugs and Driving

• Illegal drugs are always unlawful to possess and
  use
• Prescription medicine
• Can affect eyesight, hearing, judgment
• Read the labels
• Talk to you doctor or pharmacist
• Work with your supervisor

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Driver Conditions

• So far, weve discussed KNOWLEDGE, EXPECTENCY,
  HEALTH
• What other driver conditions are critical to
  safely operating a bus?
• Concentration and Attitude

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Attitude

• RECOGNIZE the hazard
• DEFEND yourself
• ACT to prevent

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Concentration and Attitude

• Be alert and attentive
• Be positive
• Focus on your work
• Be careful of being an aggressive driver
• Do you speed excessively?
• Do you tailgate slower vehicles?
• Do you race to beat red lights or run stop signs?
• Do you weave in and out of traffic?
• Do you pass illegally on the right?
• Do you fail to yield the right of way to oncoming
  vehicles?

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Mitigate Aggressive Driving

• Plan ahead
• Concentrate
• Relax
• Drive to posted speed limit
• Be late rather than unsafe
• Set an example for younger passengers

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Attention and Monitoring

• Challenge for school bus operators
• Students
• Road
• Traffic
• Your bus
• Determine what you need to observe
• Prioritize your monitoring and attention
• Balance between many items
• Safety first
• E.g., Pre-trip, monitor gauges When loading
  students, concentrate on them!

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Attention and Monitoring
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Attention and Monitoring

• There is a LOT to monitor as a school bus
  operator
• Highest rate of injury in PA school bus crashes
  involved speeding and distracted, or speeding and
  tailgating.
• Crash data also showed some crashes are more
  likely to occur with no adverse weather
  conditions.
• Dont get complacent!
• Pay attention and monitor your behavior!

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Driver Fatigue

• Who has driven their own vehicle while tired?
• What behavior did you notice?
• How were your actions different when you were
  fatigued compared to when you were alert and well
  rested?

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Warning Signs of Driver Fatigue

• Your eyes feel heavy
• You blink and yawn frequently
• You become less attentive to the road
• Your head feels heavy and you have trouble
  keeping your head up
• You can't remember the last few miles driven
• You drift from your lane or hit a rumble strip
• You experience wandering thoughts
• Difficulty focusing or keeping eyes open
• You have to jerk your vehicle back into the lane.
• You tailgate or miss traffic signs

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Avoid the Consequences of Driver Fatigue

• Get a good night's sleep
• Be alert and recognize early warning signs of
  fatigue
• Avoid alcohol and medications (over-the-counter
  and prescribed) that may impair performance
• Don't rely on your students, the radio or opening
  a window to keep you awake
• Eat sensibly and avoid heavy meals
• Remember not to use any drug that hides fatigue -
  the only cure for fatigue is rest

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Cell Phones and Texting While Driving
Cell Phone /Other Related Tasks Risk of Crash or Near Crash event
Light Vehicle/Cars
Dialing Cell Phone 2.8 times as high as non-distracted driving
Talking/Listening to Cell Phone 1.3 times as high as non-distracted driving
Reaching for object (i.e. electronic device and other) 1.4 times as high as non-distracted driving
Heavy Vehicles/Trucks
Dialing Cell phone 5.9 times as high as non-distracted driving
Talking/Listening to Cell Phone 1.0 times as high as non-distracted driving
Use/Reach for electronic device 6.7 times as high as non-distracted driving
Text messaging 23.2 times as high as non-distracted driving
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Cell Phones and Texting While Driving

• Safest course of action is to refrain from using
  a cell phone
• Only use your cell phone in emergency situations

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Driver Conditions Summary We examined

• Knowledge
• Expectancy
• Health
• Concentration and attitude
• Attention and monitoring
• Driver fatigue
• Cell phones and texting

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Driver Conditions Summary We learned

• Observe traffic defensively
• Visualize the route and what you are going to do
• Keep extra space between you and the vehicle
  ahead of you
• Have a systematic pattern of mirror checks
• Maintain a safety circle around the bus
• Remind yourself of the responsibility you have
  transporting students
• Do not talk/text on your cell phone while driving
• Count the students as they get off the bus and
  watch where they all go
• Drive mindfully, not mindlessly

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Vehicle Conditions

• Discussed in detail in Unit E
• Pre-trip conditions
• Is the school bus you are assigned to drive in
  safe operating condition?
• Will it respond instantly and effectively to all
  controls?
• Have you checked it over?
• Did you report deficiencies to your supervisor
  and have they been corrected?

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Vehicle Conditions

• Discussed in detail in Unit E
• Operating (on-the-road) conditions
• Sight constantly check all gauges for proper
  readings, check lights, and watch for smoke or
  fire
• Smell constantly check for telltale odors of
  smoke, exhaust fumes, gasoline, oil, and burning
  rubber
• Sound listen for unusual noises such as engine
  knocking or clashing gears
• Touch often you will feel the first sign of
  trouble. Be alert for loss of steering, brakes,
  transmission, power, or other vehicular functions

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Environmental and Roadway Conditions

• Scanning ahead
• Driving on slippery surfaces
• Reduced visibility
• Equipment adjustments
• Heavy wind
• Highway hazards
• Pedestrian hazards
• Other vehicle hazards

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Scanning Ahead

• Have a clean windshield and properly adjusted
  mirrors.
• Develop the habit of scanning 360 degrees around
  the bus front, sides, and rear.
• Dont stare too long at a particular object, as
  you will be less aware of clues from your larger
  field of indirect vision.
• Focus farther ahead as your speed increases and
  slow down if your view becomes limited by hills
  or curves.

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Habits for Improving Scanning and Perception

• Use Efficient Eye Habits
• Use Systematic Search Pattern
• Search for Conflict Situations

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Projected Path of Travel
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Eye Habits for Bus Control

• Picture Path of Travel
• Look Down Middle
• Look Far Ahead

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Search The Scene Ahead
Search 12-15 seconds ahead Search from side to
side
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Search the Road Surface

• To detect changes in direction
• To assess speed of other cars
• To check for pedestrians between parked cars

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Detect and ANTICIPATE Changes

• Highway conditions
• Other traffic
• Sight distance
• Roadway surface
• Type
• Slope
• Roughness
• Shoulders
• Oil, water, ice

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Search Mirrors and Dash

• Check inside and outside mirrors
• Check every 5-8 seconds
• Check dash regularly

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Look for Clues

• Mailboxes, utility lines, houses, cloud of dust

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Driving on Slippery Surfaces Crashes

• Drivers were more likely to be noted for driving
  too fast for conditions in rain-fog and
  especially in snow-sleet conditions than in clear
  weather conditions
• Drivers were more likely to be noted as driving
  on the wrong side of the road under snow-sleet
  conditions, perhaps indicating loss of control of
  the vehicle on slick roads and/or difficulty in
  seeing the center line.
• SoSLOW DOWNADJUST YOUR DRIVING

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Driving on Slippery Surfaces Crashes

• Although 75 of prime school bus crashes overall
  occurred in urban areas, snow-sleet crashes were
  more likely to occur in rural than urban areas,
  perhaps due to lower levels of winter services on
  rural routes.
• If your drivers operate buses in rural areas, be
  particularly careful in adverse weather
  conditions.

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Driving on Slippery Surfaces Crashes

• Snow-sleet crashes were likely to involve
  single-vehicle hit fixed object crashes.
• This suggests school bus operators are not
  adjusting their speeds based on weather
  conditions.
• Head-on collisions were twice as likely to occur
  on dry roads as on other road surface conditions.
  
• It appears that some drivers attempt risky
  maneuvers on dry roads that they perhaps avoid in
  less favorable conditions.

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Driving on Slippery SurfacesDriving
Recommendations

• Start on time, but adjust to conditions
• Safety first, schedule second
• Use windshield wipers in inclement weather
• Use of headlights is mandatory
• Check brakes immediately after driving through
  deep puddles or standing water.
• If they fail to work properly, pump the brakes to
  help dry them while the vehicle is moving.
• For air brakes, cautiously apply steady pressure.
• Set a regular speed, and drive slower than posted
  speed limit

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Driving on Slippery SurfacesDriving
Recommendations

• Start the bus in the lowest appropriate gear for
  better traction if ice or wet snow is on the
  driving surface
• To avoid getting stuck or spinning the wheels,
  try to keep the bus moving slowly and steadily
  forward in gear
• When approaching intersections and when stopping,
  pump the brakes once or twice so that the wheels
  wont lock on the ice. With air brakes, use
  gentle but steady pressure.
• Make turns smoothly avoid applying the brake
• Avoid skidding

120
Driving on Slippery SurfacesDriving
Recommendations

• Plan ahead for expected hazardous areas of the
  route
• Bridges,
• Stretches of road that have been slippery in the
  past
• Uphill stops
• Intersections
• Maintain a greater than normal safe following
  distance from other vehicles
• When pulling onto the highway, allow for longer
  acceleration time required for school buses

121
Reduced Visibility Weather Conditions

• Follow local pre-trip inspection guidelines
• Keep the windshield clear
• Stop the bus and remove snow or ice build-up
• Dont hesitate to leave the roadway at a safe
  spot to sit out a heavy shower, snow squall, or
  thick fog
• Always remember to keep in contact with your
  supervisor

122
Reduced Visibility Bright Sunlight

• Carry sunglasses and use them when necessary
• Adjust visors to block out direct sun
• Avoid looking directly at the sun, bright
  reflections, or glare they can affect your
  vision for several seconds
• Clean the windshield inside/outside

123
Reduced Visibility Night Driving

• 6 of crashes involving a school bus occurred at
  night
• Fatalities were more likely to occur in dark than
  daylight or dawn-dusk conditions
• Improper highway entrance/exit was least likely
  to be noted in daylight conditions and most
  likely to be noted in dark conditions
• This might suggest that drivers may have
  difficulty pulling onto roadways in dark
  conditions.

124
Reduced Visibility Night Driving

• Failure to stop was less likely to be noted in
  dark conditions than in dawn-dusk or daylight
  conditions, perhaps because drivers are more
  cautious when visibility is poor.
• Improper turning was more likely to be noted in
  dark conditions than in daylight or dawn-dusk
  conditions.

125
Reduced Visibility Night Driving

• SLOW DOWN
• Change other driving techniques
• Increase your following distance
• Exercise extra caution
• Dont look directly at oncoming lights
• Dont look off into the darkness
• Use pavement markings and delineators as guidance
  devices
• Note that your eyes need to adjust to night
  lighting and driving in dark conditions.

126
Equipment Adjustments

• Keep headlights and windshield clean
• Always use low beams on sharp curves and when
  traffic is approaching
• Keep headlights on low beam in cities or towns
  and in fog or haze
• Keep your instrument panel lights dim
• If oncoming drivers fail to dim their lights,
  dont blind them with your high beams
• Dont tailgate

127
Equipment Adjustments
128
Headlights

• Dual purpose see and be seen
• Required use by law
• Insufficient light or on overcast days
• Between sunset and sunrise
• Inclement weather
• Certain work zones

129
Headlights

• Low beams
• use during fog, snow, and rain or
• within 500 of oncoming traffic or
• within 300 of vehicle you are following

High beaming is not a punishment
130
Heavy Wind

• Because of height of bus
• Can act like a sail
• Know your routes
• Use extreme caution when passing other vehicles,
  especially large trucks

131
Highway Hazards

• Geometry
• Curves
• Hills
• Dips
• Lane width
• Shoulders

132
Intersections Crashes

• 60 of crashes involving school buses occur at
  intersections
• Drivers who crashed at T or Y intersections had
  fewer total training hours than drivers who
  crashed at mid-block or 4-way intersection
  locations
• This suggests that navigating through
  intersections can be tricky and more experienced
  drivers have learned strategies to help

133
Intersections Crashes

• Adverse environmental conditions were more likely
  to be noted at mid-block locations than
  intersections
• Intersection crashes were more likely to be in
  urban areas, perhaps due to greater exposure at
  high traffic locations
• A greater number of injuries were sustained in
  mid-block than intersection crashes perhaps
  because of the speeds involved
• A greater number of vehicles were involved in
  4-way intersection than T or Y intersection or
  mid-block crashes

134
Intersections Crashes

• Angle collisions
• Failure to stop
• More likely in darkness
• It appears that some bus drivers have a tendency
  to roll past stop signs when the way appears to
  be clear, fail to see an oncoming vehicle under
  low light conditions, and collide with the
  oncoming vehicle
• Rear end collisions also more common
• Tailgating
• More likely if you have a previous violation
• Be particularly vigilant

135
Intersections Right-of-Way

• This concept legally establishes who has the
  right to use the conflicting part of the road and
  who has to wait until the other does so.
• Right-of-way laws are designed to prevent
  collisions by prescribing which vehicle must move
  last.
• Note that the law only names the vehicle that
  must yield right of way it never states that any
  vehicle expressly has the right to proceed.
• Intersections
• Controlled
• Uncontrolled

136
Yield Control

• Approach with caution
• Reasonable speed for geometry and traffic
  conditions
• Yield, NOT merge!

137
Stop Control

• Stop at stop line
• Stop 4 in advance of crosswalk
• Stop at nearest point where driver has best view
  of approaching traffic
• Best line of sight
• Look in all directions at least twice
• Remember the acceleration capabilities of your
  bus
• Dont take chances!

138
Signal Control

• Red signal STOP
• Use right turn on red with extreme caution
• Follow local procedures and policies
• Yellow signal Prepare for stopdo not accelerate
• Green signal Check before proceeding for
  pedestrians and other traffic
• Be careful when making the left turn yield to
  oncoming traffic!
• Flashing yellow Slowly proceed with caution
• Flashing red Stop completely, check, proceed
  with caution.

139
Roundabouts

• Counterclockwise rotation
• Yield before entering
• Circulate until desired exit is reached
• Pedestrians are not allowed they cross at
  approaches

140
Bicycle Treatment
Accessible Pedestrian Crossing
Counterclockwise Circulation
Center Island
Circulatory Roadway
Sidewalk
Landscaping Buffer
Splitter Island
Yield Line
Apron
141
Why Do They Work?

• Drivers dont need to stop unnecessarily
• Average speed is very low (15 - 20 mph)
• Left turn volume does not greatly impact
  operation
• All traffic movement given equal priority
• Traffic queues move continuously

142
Large Vehicles (Buses) on Roundabouts
143
Last Notes on Intersections

• Uniformed Police Officer
• Always has authority over signs and signals
• Private roads
• When leaving a driveway, always yield right-of
  way
• Rule of thumb School bus never have right of way
  be conservative
• Whenever possible dont back out of a driveway
• Crossing main (divided) highways
• Check and recheck
• Use extreme caution
• NEVER take a risk

144
Roadside Hazards

• Key is to stay on the road!
• Be careful of surfaces that are
• Loose
• Rough
• Slippery
• Slow down!
• Crash data indicates
• Bus drivers may be too overconfident in good and
  bad weather, leading to a crash
• Driving too fast for conditions

145
Pedestrian Hazards

• Greater number of fatalities associated with hit
  pedestrians (and head-on collisions) than any
  other crash
• Pay particular attention
• During student loading and unloading (Unit C)
• School areas
• Kids getting out of cars
• Crossing between parked cars
• At intersections
• Right on red
• Peds failing to pay attention to traffic control
  devices
• In hours of darkness

146
Pedestrian Hazards

• Urban and rural pedestrian hazards

147
Pedestrian Hazards
148
Pedestrian Hazards
149
Hazards From Other Drivers

• Drivers in a hurry
• Drivers losing control of their vehicles
• Lack of communication
• Vehicle slowing down
• may be about to turn
• Parked car with a driver in the drivers seat,
  engine running, or turned wheels
• may be about to pull out from the curb
• Parked car with a driver in the drivers seat
• may be getting ready to exit his vehicle
• Pickup and delivery vehicles with backup lights
  on
• may be about to back into another street or
  driveway

150
Hazards from Other Drivers

• Inadequate adjustment by other driver to various
  roadway or environmental conditions
• Failure of other driver to observe
• Not responding to an upcoming intersection or to
  your signals
• Not looking at the road or what is in front of
  him/her
• Dirty windows, bright sunlight, or other objects
  obscuring or restricting the other drivers view.
• Other drivers vehicle being detectable to you
  only by reflection, headlight glow, or dust
  cloud.
• If you cannot see them, they cant see you!

151
A BUS IS STOPPED TO LOAD STUDENTS AT THE CURB
A CAR PULLS INTO INTERSECTION TO SEE AROUND BUS
S - 17
152
Aggressive Drivers

• Get out of their way
• Do not challenge
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact and ignore rude
  gestures
• Dont block the passing lane if you are driving
  slower than most of the traffic
• Put your pride in the back seat and DO NOT
  RETALIATE
• Do not try to teach another driver a lesson
• Wear your seat belt.

153
Aggressive Drivers

• Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate
  authorities
• Vehicle description
• License plate
• Location
• Direction of travel.
• If you have a cell phone, and can do it
  safely, pull to the side of the road and call the
  police and/or your supervisor
• Do NOT unload any students if an aggressive
  driver pursues you. Call for help. 

154
Slow Moving Vehicles

• Amish buggies
• Do not blow your horn
• Leave enough room when passing
• Farm equipment
• Heavy vehicles
• Vehicles going up steep grades
• Watch for reflective orange triangle bordered
  with red

155
Work Zones

• May be confusing
• Unexpected events
• Expectancy!
• Higher crash rates

156
Unique Traffic Control Devices

• Electronic arrow panels

Merge Right
Merge Left
Caution
157
Unique Traffic Control Devices
158
Work Zone Components

• Advanced warning area
• Transition area
• Activity area
• Termination area

159
Scan for Hazards
160
Work Zone

• Areas for concern? Safe driver maneuvers?

161
Work Zone Safe Driving Tips

• Obey speed limits
• Follow flagger instructions
• Do not tailgate
• Be alert for lane shifts and closures
• Expect the unexpected

162
Motorcycles

• Look for motorcyclesthen look again. Look twice
  at intersections, especially when turning left.
• Respect motorcyclists rights.
• Anticipate a motorcyclists maneuvers
• Allow plenty of following distance
• Check and re-check your blind spots.

163
Controlling Speed

• School bus crash data indicates
• Most severe injuries occur in crashes that
  involve speeding
• Speeding and tailgating are listed as factors in
  18 of crashes where school buses were the prime
  vehicle
• Driver actions with highest injury rates, by far,
  were
• Combination of speeding distracted driving
• Combination of speeding tailgating
• Among single driver action categories, the
  highest injury rate was for tailgating
• The message SLOW DOWN!
• Safety first, schedule second

164
Proper Following Distance

• Speeding and tailgating are a deadly combination
• Keep space between your vehicle and other
  vehicles
• Know your bus!

165
Four Second Rule

• Select a fixed object on the road or roadside
  ahead
• When the vehicle ahead of you passes that mark,
  start counting until you reach the same spot
• If you reach the same mark before your count is
  complete, you are following to closely

166
Four Second Rule

• NOT a be-all / end-all!
• You need to adjust this based on conditions
• Add a second to the 4 seconds if you are
• traveling over 40 mph
• driving on a wet or loose surface or other poor
  roadway condition
• following motorcycles or large vehicles
• following another school bus
• driving at night
• driving in adverse weather conditions
• being tailgated

167
If YOU are Being Tailgated

• Avoid quick changes
• Increase your following distance
• Dont speed up
• Avoid tricks

168
Why is Perception Important? STOPPING

• Stopping distance has three basic components
• Perception Distance
• Reaction Distance
• Braking Distance
• Sometimes the first two are referred to as PIEV
  Distance

169
Stopping

• PIEV distance
• Braking distance
• Stopping distance

170
What is Different in a Bus?

• Brake lag distance
• The distance your vehicle travels after you have
  applied the brake pedal, but before the air
  brakes are activated
• Normally, this is discounted in stopping sight
  distance
• Air brakes add .5 seconds brake lag at least 32
  feet at 55 mph

171
Stopping a Bus

• PIEV distance
• Braking distance
• Brake lag distance
• Stopping distance

172
Stopping a Bus at 55 MPH

• PIEV distance (120 feet)
• Braking distance (170 feet)
• Brake lag distance (32 feet)
• Stopping distance (322 feet)
• About the length of a football field!

173
Remaining Stopping Points

• Keep your brakes well maintained
• Keep adequate following distance
• Slowing down decreases stopping distance
• Adjust following distance and speed based on
  conditions
• Go with the flow of traffic as long as it is safe

174
Safe Driving Summary

• Prepare
• Attitude
• Scan/Perceive
• Give yourself time to decide and act
• Act defensively
• Use your tools
• Know the rules

175
The Driving Task

• Difficult!
• Minimize distractions
• Concentrate
• Think safety first
• Attitude

176
Attitude

• Learn to anticipate
• Expect the unexpected
• Fault ultimately does NOT matter

177
Break the Bad Habits

• Fatigue
• Cell phones
• Grooming
• Reading
• Eating and drinking
• Failure to obey laws
• Aggressive driving