Safe Student Loading and Unloading

1
Safe Student Loading and Unloading
2008 - 2009 Washington State School Bus Driver
Inservice
2
Introduction

• The danger zone
• Mirror adjustment
• School bus stop locations
• Safe Loading and Unloading
• Student Instruction

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The Danger Zone
The 10-foot area around the bus.
4
The Safe Walk Zone
Where drivers expect kids to walk.
5
Instruction to Students

• Why its the danger zone.
• The driver cant see them
• Increased risk
• Where it is safe to walk?

6
Correct Mirror Adjustments
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Left and Right Flat Mirrors

• Adjusted so the driver can see
• 200 feet behind the bus.
• That is 5 - forty foot bus lengths
• Just along the sides of the bus.

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Left Flat Mirror Correct Adjustment
200 Feet Visible behind bus
Only 1 inch of bus showing in the mirror
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INCORRECT Mirror Adjustment
Most of the mirror just shows the side of the
bus
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200 Feet Visible behind bus
Only 1 inch of bus showing
Right Flat Mirror Correct Adjustment
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INCORRECT Mirror Adjustment
Mirror doesnt show the rear wheels
Too much of the bus shows in the mirror
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Left and Right Convex Mirrors

• The side of the bus up to the mirror mounts
• Front of the rear tires touching the ground
• At least one traffic lane on either side (12 out
  32 back)

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12 feet out at 32 feet back from the front bumper
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12 feet out at 32 feet back from the front bumper
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Left and Right Cross-view Mirrors

• From the front bumper at ground level to direct
  vision area.
• The front tires at the ground.
• Front of the bus to the door.
• Overlap direct and mirror vision.

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Left cross-view mirror
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Right cross-view mirror
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Interior Rearview Mirror

• The top of the rear window
• The first row of seats

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Interior Rearview Mirror CORRECT Adjustment
The mirror is just showing the rear window
and the front row of seats
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Too much of the bus ceiling
and not enough of the front seats
Interior Rearview Mirror INCORRECT Adjustment
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School Bus Stop Locations
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Requirements for School Bus Stop Locations

• Cannot require students to cross three or more
  lanes of traffic.
• Except traffic signal or adult crossing guard
  within 300.
• WAC 392-145-011 (5)

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Requirements for School Bus Stop Locations

• Not located on a hill or curve without 500 feet
  of visibility
• If 500 feet is not possible, either a sign should
  be provided or the stop should be relocated.
• WAC 392-145-011 (6)

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School Bus Stop LocationsOther Considerations

• Must have sufficient room for students to safely
  wait off the roadway
• Look for well-lit, open areas

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Prohibited School Bus Stop Locations

• Within or blocking intersections
• On a sidewalk
• On a planting strip
• On a crosswalk
• (RCW 46.61.570)

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Loading Unloading Procedures
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A Drivers Responsibility

• Safe Student
• Loading and Unloading
• Each Stop Every Day
• WAC 392-145-060 (3)

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A Drivers Responsibility

• Know and follow the
• laws and regulations for
• loading and unloading students
• Check for sleeping kids
• at the end of each route.

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STUDENT STOPSLOADING UNLOADING ON THE ROAD
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KEEP CHECKING YOUR MIRRORS
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On the Road School Bus Stop

• Check your mirrors!
• Activate the alternating flashing amber lights
  before the school bus stop
• Speed limit 35 mph or less
• 100 to 300 feet
• Speed limit more than 35 mph
• 300 to 500 feet
• Check your mirrors!

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On the Road - Bus Stop cont.

• Slowly approach and stop
• Check your mirrors!
• Set parking brake Transmission in N
• Check your mirrors!
• Activate red alternating flashing lights
• (with the switch -- not the door)
• Check your mirrors open the door.

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On the Road Bus Stop cont.

• If students are crossing, signal when it is safe
  to cross
• In the PM, students wait 10 feet in front of the
  bus.
• Keep track of where the students are . watch
  them until they get on the bus or leave the stop
• Keep checking your mirrors.

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On the Road Bus Stop cont.

• Close the door
• AM when all students are seated, cancel the
  8-way lights
• Check your mirrors
• Transmission in gear, release the parking brake,
  check your mirrors and proceed.

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When NOT to Use the 8-Light System

• On school property
• Loading unloading off the road
• While backing or at RR crossings
• To assist another school bus driver to control
  traffic

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Off The Road StopsStudent Loading Unloading
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Off the Road School Bus Stop

• Check your mirrors!
• Activate the right turn signal
• Check your mirrors!
• Carefully pull off - approach the bus stop - make
  a complete stop
• Check your mirrors!
• Cancel the turn signal

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Off the Road Bus Stop cont.

• Check your mirrors!
• Set the parking brake
• Place the transmission in neutral
• Activate the 4-way hazard lights
• Keep checking your mirrors!
• Keep light pressure on the brake

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Off the Road Bus Stop cont.

• Keep checking your mirrors
• Open the door, keeping track of the kids and
  where they are
• Make sure the students are safe
• Check your mirrors
• Close door, transmission in gear and release the
  parking brake

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Off the Road Bus Stop cont.

• Keep checking your mirrors
• Cancel the hazard lights and engage the left turn
  signal
• Check your mirrors
• Watch for unexpected students
• Check your mirrors
• Merge back into the traffic

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State regulation requires the use of the parking
brake every time you are loading or unloading
passengers. 
WAC 392-145-060 (10)
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School ZoneLoading and Unloading
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School Zone Loading/Unloading

• Keep checking your mirrors
• Approach the load zone w/ care
• Set the parking brake
• Transmission in neutral/park
• Turn off the engine
• Check your mirrors - open door
• Monitor students

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School Zone Loading/Unload cont.

• AM walk through the bus for forgotten items or
  sleepers
• Minimize idling in the load zone
• Remove the key if leaving bus.
• If backing is necessary, have another adult
  assist you.

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Loading and UnloadingTurnaround Stops
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Turnaround Stops

• Any turnaround stop requires specific, previous
  authorization
• Back into least traveled portion
• AM Load students, then back
• PM Back first, then unload

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Stop Logistics
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Inclement Weather Routes and Stops

• Let dispatch know if the roadway conditions
  change after the routes or stops are established
• (Example a new road is put in)

49
Road Construction

• Let dispatch know if you see a sign indicating
  scheduled road construction
• Emergency road closures dont release students
  without notification or authorization.

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Stop location

• Let dispatch know if, as students move in and out
  of a neighborhood, conditions change and a
  different stop location provides more safety.

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Heavy Traffic Stops

• AM
• Students at the stop early
• Wait until all kids are seated
• PM have students
• Move forward
• Be ready to disembark
• Wait for all students to clear

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Courteous Driving

• At all times, represent the school district in a
  professional manner
• If you have traffic backed up from student
  loading/unloading, do what you can to safely let
  traffic clear

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Student Behavior and the Loading Process
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Student Instruction

• Walk safely to the bus stop
• Arrive early (district procedure)
• Respect private property and use good behavior at
  the stop
• Load the bus single file
• no pushing or shoving

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Student Instruction, cont.

• If they cross the road to the bus
• Wait for the Drivers signal
• Cross 10 in front of the bus
• Never cross behind the bus
• Stay out of the Danger Zone
• Always use the handrail getting on or off the bus

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Student Instruction, cont.

• Only get off the bus at your assigned bus stop
  (follow district procedure)
• Stay seated until the bus comes to a complete
  stop
• Look both ways as you step off the bus

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Bus Stop Behavior

• Drivers have responsibility to report students
  misbehaving at bus stops
• School districts have responsibility for the
  safety of students
• To and from the school bus stop (some)
• Getting on and off the school bus
• While the student is on the bus

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Parents or Unauthorized Individuals on the
School Bus
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Insistent and Concerned Parent

• Assure them you would like to talk about their
  concerns
• Give them a name and phone
• Remind them you have a schedule
• Ask them to step off the bus
• Warn them of any further action

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Unauthorized Individuals

• Try to keep them off the bus
• If they get on the bus, keep asking them to leave
• Call for 911
• Try to stay calm and keep your students calm
• Make notes about the intruder

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Laws Protecting Bus Drivers

• RCW 28A.635.090
• Interference by force or violence
• Its unlawful for any person to interfere by
  force or violence with any classified employee,
  (or) person under contract with the school
  district in the conduct of his or her duties
  .

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Laws Protecting Drivers, cont.

• RCW 28A.635.100
• Intimidating any classified employee by
  threat of force or violence is unlawful.
• Both violations are gross misdemeanors with 500
  fines and six months in jail.

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Summary

• Remember the danger zone
• Adjust your mirrors
• Always use the correct procedures
• Keep training students
• You Do A Great Job
• THANKS FOR KEEPING KIDS SAFE!