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Solving the Loading Solving the Loading Zone PuzzleZone Puzzle

2008-2009 New York State 2008-2009 New York State Education Department Education Department Driver and Attendant RefresherDriver and Attendant Refresher

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Danger Zone• What can

go wrong here?

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Loading Zone Word SearchS T C H O O L M B U S B O B S

A F E 3 M I R R O R S C U E T

Y D G E I S O A N E O R N B U

S I S T F O P P A U T O D T C

B S A T I 5 M O N L E S E S H

S T N R O H 1 T E L A S R 1 E

I R K R J B L S N O F I B S C

B A - X E A P W O R T N U R K

L C 6 T S D A M Z U E G S E B

I T R T H R S M R 4 R S R S 4

N I R Z N K V H E B N I M S U

G O T I U D Q R G K O G J O S

S N N C Q M M R N C O N R R T

M G I U C M M H A O N A X C E

S G N I G G A R D R B L J K P

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Objectives• Understand loading zone dangers• Understand historical and recent

trends• Know loading zone law• Understand lessons in recent school

bus loading zone fatal accidents• Become a critical loading zone

observer

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What’s the Law?15 feet10 feet50 feet

$250/1 yr1’, 6’, 12’All your $

300 feetUse of

redsDriver/Police

Activate ambers (recommended)

Use reds behind bus w/redsCan wave through redsCreate personal liabilityDon’t move the bus untilMinimum fine first offense

PMIn front of bus in vision of

driverWhenever loading or

unloadingCone placement right rear

wheel

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NYS School Bus Fatalities

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

44.5

1960-1976 1977-1997 1998-2007

NYS Bus Fatalities per year

January 1999 to May 2004 Fatality Free

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NYS Passing Motorist

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

1960-1998 1999-2007

Passing Motorist as % of Fatalities

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Loading Zone History - US

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s

US Loading Zone Fatalities per Year

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Loading Zone History - US

0%

10%

20%30%

40%

50%

60%70%

1970-2002 2003-2006

US Rear Wheel Fatalities as % of Total BOB

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Tools• SBSIOBSAAT - Tips• Kansas Survey • NYS Crossing Poster• Universal Crossing

Procedure• NYS Laws & Regs• Critical Reflection

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Four Case Studies1. Mallory Eddy May 20042. Chana Friedlander June 20063. Markus Smith November

20064. Rear Wheel Fatals 2004, 2005

(US)

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Think about it… • Describe the characteristics of each party• What circumstances created the risk?• How did the bus driver actions contribute?• How did the student’s actions contribute?• How did the PM actions contribute?• What was the last straw?• What might have prevented the event?

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1. Mallory Eddy

• Right side passing = 5%• Teen driver – 16 year old car• Mirrors checked as she exits bus?• Bennet on shoulder for at least 2-3 sec. • Mallory trained to “check before she

steps”?• Plans made for runaway vehicle on hill?• Automatic doors can’t be “cracked”

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2. Chana Friedlander• Use reds in every loading zone• Cars will squeeze through anywhere• Youngest children must be trained• What are urban driving challenges?• Crossers first• How do you control rear passers?

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3. Markus Smith

• Always be aware of warnings from passengers and motorists

• Count children before leaving stop• Youngest children least predictable• Ran back right towards driver – off-tracking• Last thing to check as bus leaves stop?• Attendant role in loading zone safety?

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4. Rear Bus Wheels • Running back to the bus• Slipping under the bus• Climbing under bus for dropped object• Dragging caught in bus door• 15 foot rule clearance• Off-tracking• Properly adjusted mirrors• Rock before you roll

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Become a Critical Observer• View obstructions/visibility at

bus stop approach• Mix of crossers and non-

crossers• High speed, heavy traffic• Big trucks/buses• Hills or curves in either

direction

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Become a Critical Observer• Frequent PM • Intersection dangers• Non-student

pedestrians at stop• Construction or other

temporary danger• Report and plan

w/supervisor

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Combined Learning• Keep up the good work

on BOB• Raise awareness of PM• Know the laws• Watch for children

alongside your bus• Be aware of right-side

passers• Be critical!

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Remember…

SBSIOBSAATStudents get on or off a school

bus in the United States 20,000,000,000 times a year.

Together we can make every stop a safe one