Don’t let
Distraction
or
Inattention
cause a child to lose his or her life!
Let’s all remember that student safety is
Prevent Dragging Hazards!
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our first priority!
•
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Students have been injured or killed
Let’s keep focused on our
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when clothing, accessories, or even parts
important job!
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of their body get caught in the handrail
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or door as they exit the bus.
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•
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Closely observe all students exiting the
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bus to conf
rm that they are in a safe
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location prior to moving the bus.
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Remember:
One of a school bus driver’s responsibilities
is to report any hazardous route or stop
conditions to a supervisor.
(Rule 6A-3.0171(2)(e)3.e., FAC)
Annual Training
Opportunities
from
Florida Department of Education and Florida
Association for Pupil Transportation (FAPT):
Annual Service and Parts Managers Meeting
Annual Driver Trainers’ Leadership Conference
FAPT ESE Pre-Conference
FAPT Annual Conference
Ongoing Training
Opportunities
School Bus Driver Trainer Basic
Curriculum Course
(Contact – Kay Kanupp, FDOE)
CDL Examiner Training Course
(Contact – Kay Kanupp, FDOE)
Students with Special Needs
Regional Workshops
(Contact – Julie Wammack, FDOE)
(850) 245-9795
schtrans@fldoe.org
Please contact the Department’s
School Transportation Management
Offi
ce for more information:
850-245-9795
Florida Department of Education
John L. Winn, Commissioner
www.fl
doe.org
2/05
School Bus
Operators
Operators
Safety
Safety
Reminder
PLEASE
Keep School Buses
the SAFEST vehicles
on the ROAD!
_________________________
FACT:
School buses are eight times
safer per mile than cars.
As a driver, if you catch your mind
wandering and are not counting
every one of your children before
proceeding on your route, then
STOP and REFOCUS!
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION!
Remember to follow safe
loading and unloading
procedures.
To perform a safe stop, school bus
operators must:
•
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Instruct students in safe loading and
unloading procedures (see your supervisor
for guidance).
•
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Activate amber warning lights 200 feet
before stopping.
•
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Stop a safe distance (at least 10 feet) from
any students outside the bus.
•
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When stopped, activate red warning lights,
stop arms, and bumper cross arm.
•
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Look for pedestrians, traff
c, and other items
before, during and after coming to a stop and
make sure all traff
c has stopped.
•
?
Engage parking brake and place transmission
in neutral.
•
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Loading students:
•
Raise hand toward students outside the
bus (open palm) to indicate “stop.”
•
?
Make eye contact and
count students
.
•
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Check mirrors and look for moving traff
c
and hazards.
•
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When safe, open door and signal students
to board. When safe, signal students
who must cross road by pointing to them
(two f
ngers
extended,
thumb
down)
and then
pointing to
where you
want them
to go.
Avoid
sweeping
motion that may confuse motorists
.
•
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In case of danger, use horn or PA to signal
students to clear roadway.
•
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When all students are on bus, close door,
count students
, and ensure they are
seated.
•
?
Deactivate warning lights, and check all
mirrors.
•
?
Check traff
c and proceed on route.
•
?
Unloading students:
•
?
Check right and left mirrors and look
ahead to be sure all traff
c has stopped.
•
?
Tell students when it is safe to stand up
and proceed toward the door.
•
?
Open door and
count children
as they exit
the bus.
•
?
Make sure students move at least 10 feet
away from the side of the bus and remain
in your view.
FACT:
Three times more students are
killed while getting on or off a school
bus each year than are killed
as passengers inside the school bus.
•
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When safe, signal any students who must
cross the road by pointing to them (two
f
ngers extended, thumb down) and
then pointing to where they should go.
Avoid sweeping motion that may confuse
motorists
.
•
In case of danger, use horn or PA to
signal students to clear roadway.
•
?
Count students
again and ensure all are a
safe distance from the bus.
•
?
Close door and check all mirrors
carefully, especially right hand mirrors
(for students who do not cross road) to
ensure they are away from the bus.
•
?
Deactivate warning lights. Proceed when
safe and all children are accounted for
and are safely away from the bus.
Special Dangers of
Loading and Unloading
Dropped or Forgotten Objects
•
?
Always focus on students as they approach/
leave the bus and watch for any who
disappear from sight.
•
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Students may drop an object near the bus
during loading or unloading. Stopping to
pick up the object or returning to pick
up the object may cause the student to
disappear from the driver’s sight at a very
dangerous moment.
•
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Students should be told to leave any
dropped object
and move to a
point of safety
out of the danger
zones and attempt
to get the driver’s
attention to
retrieve the object.
As a bus driver, if you are concerned
with a bus stop location or hazardous
condition along your route, it is your
responsibility to advise your supervisor
of the situation as soon as possible.
