Safe Student

Loading and Unloading

2008 - 2009 Washington State School Bus Driver Inservice

IntroductionIntroduction

►The danger zone►Mirror adjustment►School bus stop locations►Safe Loading and

Unloading►Student Instruction

The 10-foot area around the bus.

The Danger Zone

Where drivers expect kids to walk.

The Safe Walk Zone

Front

►Why it’s the danger zone.The driver can’t see them

Increased risk

►Where it is safe to walk?

Instruction to StudentsInstruction to Students

Correct Mirror Adjustments

Left and Right Flat MirrorsLeft 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.

Only “1 inch”

of bus ‘showing’

in the mirror

200 FeetVisible behind

bus

Left Flat Mirror Correct Adjustment

Most of the mirror

just shows the

side of the bus

INCORRECT Mirror Adjustment

Right Flat Mirror Correct Adjustment

200 FeetVisible behind

busOnly

1 inch of bus

showing

Too muchof the bus shows in

the mirror

INCORRECT Mirror Adjustment

Mirror doesn’t

show the rear

wheels

Left and Right Convex Left and Right Convex MirrorsMirrors

►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)

12 feet out at32 feet back

from the front bumper

12 feet out at32 feet back

from the front bumper

Left and Right Cross-view Left and Right Cross-view MirrorsMirrors

►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.

Left cross-view

mirror

Right cross-view

mirror

Interior Rearview MirrorInterior Rearview Mirror

►The top of the rear windowThe top of the rear window

►The first row of seatsThe first row of seats

Interior Rearview Mirror CORRECT Adjustment

The mirror is just showing the rear window

…… and the

front row of seats

Too much of the bus ceiling …

Interior Rearview Mirror INCORRECT Adjustment

… and not enough of the

front seats

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)

Requirements for Requirements for School Bus Stop Locations School Bus Stop Locations

Requirements for Requirements for School Bus Stop Locations 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)

►Must have sufficient room for students to safely wait off the roadway

►Look for well-lit, open areas

School Bus Stop LocationsSchool Bus Stop LocationsOther Considerations Other Considerations

►Within or blocking intersections►On a sidewalk►On a planting strip►On a crosswalk

(RCW 46.61.570)

ProhibitedProhibited School Bus Stop Locations School Bus Stop Locations

Loading & Unloading Procedures

A Driver’s ResponsibilityA Driver’s Responsibility

Safe Student Loading and Unloading

Each Stop – Every Day

WAC 392-145-060 (3)

A Driver’s ResponsibilityA Driver’s Responsibility

Know and follow the laws and regulations for loading and unloading

students

Check for sleeping kidsat the end of each route.

STUDENT STOPS

LOADING & UNLOADING ON THE

ROAD

KEEP CHECKING YOUR MIRRORS

Check your mirrors!Activate the alternating flashing

amber lights before the school bus stop:

►Speed limit 35 mph or less100 to 300 feet

►Speed limit more than 35 mph300 to 500 feet

Check your mirrors!

On the Road – School Bus StopOn the Road – School Bus Stop

On the Road - Bus Stop cont.On the Road - Bus Stop cont.►Slowly approach and stop

Check your mirrors! ►Set parking brake – Transmission in

NCheck your mirrors!

►Activate red alternating flashing lights

(with the switch -- not the door)►Check your mirrors & open the door.

►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.

On the Road – Bus Stop cont.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.

On the Road – Bus Stop cont.On the Road – Bus Stop cont.

►On school propertyOn school property►Loading & unloading off the roadLoading & unloading off the road►While backing or at RR crossingsWhile backing or at RR crossings►To assist another school bus To assist another school bus

driver to control trafficdriver to control traffic

When NOT to Use the When NOT to Use the 8-Light System:8-Light System:

Off The Road StopsOff The Road StopsStudent Student

Loading & UnloadingLoading & Unloading

Off the Road – School Bus StopOff 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 stopCheck your mirrors!

►Cancel the turn signal

Off the Road – Bus Stop cont.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

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

Off the Road – Bus Stop cont.Off the Road – Bus Stop cont.

Keep checking your mirrors►Cancel the hazard lights and

engage the left turn signalCheck your mirrors…

►Watch for unexpected studentsCheck your mirrors

►Merge back into the traffic

Off the Road – Bus Stop cont.Off the Road – Bus Stop cont.

State regulation requires the use of the parking brake

every time you are loading or unloading

passengers. 

WAC 392-145-060 (10)

School ZoneSchool ZoneLoading and UnloadingLoading and Unloading

Keep checking your mirrorsKeep checking your mirrors► Approach the load zone w/ careApproach the load zone w/ care► Set the parking brakeSet the parking brake► Transmission in neutral/parkTransmission in neutral/park► Turn off the engineTurn off the engine► Check your mirrors - open door Check your mirrors - open door ► Monitor studentsMonitor students

School Zone Loading/UnloadingSchool Zone Loading/Unloading

► AM: AM: walk through walk through the bus for the bus for forgotten items or sleepersforgotten items or sleepers

► Minimize idling in the load zoneMinimize idling in the load zone► Remove the key if leaving bus.Remove the key if leaving bus.► If backing is necessary, have If backing is necessary, have

another another adultadult assist you. assist you.

School Zone Loading/Unload School Zone Loading/Unload cont.cont.

Loading and UnloadingLoading and Unloading

Turnaround StopsTurnaround Stops

► Any turnaround stop requires Any turnaround stop requires specific, previous authorizationspecific, previous authorization

► Back into least traveled portion Back into least traveled portion

► AM: Load students, then backAM: Load students, then back► PM: Back first, then unloadPM: Back first, then unload

Turnaround StopsTurnaround Stops

Stop Stop LogisticsLogistics

Inclement Weather Inclement Weather Routes and StopsRoutes and Stops

►Let dispatch know if the roadway conditions change after the routes or stops are established

(Example: a new road is put in)

Road ConstructionRoad Construction

►Let dispatch know if you see a sign indicating scheduled road construction

►Emergency road closures – don’t release students without notification or authorization.

Stop locationStop location

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

Heavy Traffic Stops Heavy Traffic Stops

►AM Students at the stop earlyWait until all kids are seated

►PM have students:Move forwardBe ready to disembarkWait for all students to clear

Courteous DrivingCourteous 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

Student Behavior and the Student Behavior and the Loading ProcessLoading Process

►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

Student InstructionStudent Instruction

►If they cross the road to the bus:If they cross the road to the bus: Wait for the Driver’s signalWait for the Driver’s signal Cross 10’ in front of the busCross 10’ in front of the bus Never Never cross behind the buscross behind the bus Stay out Stay out of the Danger Zoneof the Danger Zone

►Always use the handrail getting Always use the handrail getting on or off the buson or off the bus

Student Instruction, cont.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

Student Instruction, cont.Student Instruction, cont.

Bus Stop BehaviorBus 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

ParentsParents or or

Unauthorized Individuals Unauthorized Individuals on the School Buson the School Bus

Insistent and Concerned Parent Insistent and Concerned Parent

► Assure them you would like to Assure them you would like to talk about their concernstalk about their concerns

► Give them a name and phone #Give them a name and phone #► Remind them you have a Remind them you have a

scheduleschedule► Ask them to step off the busAsk them to step off the bus► Warn them of any further actionWarn them of any further action

Unauthorized IndividualsUnauthorized Individuals

► Try to keep them off the busTry to keep them off the bus► If they get on the bus, keep If they get on the bus, keep

asking them to leaveasking them to leave► Call for 911Call for 911► Try to stay calm and keep Try to stay calm and keep

your students calmyour students calm► Make notes about the Make notes about the

intruderintruder

RCW 28A.635.090RCW 28A.635.090

Interference by force or violenceInterference by force or violence(1)(1)It’s unlawful for any person … It’s unlawful for any person …

to interfere by force or to interfere by force or violence with any … classified violence with any … classified employee, (or) person under employee, (or) person under contract with the … school contract with the … school district … in the … conduct of district … in the … conduct of his or her duties …. his or her duties ….

Laws Protecting Bus DriversLaws Protecting Bus Drivers

RCW 28A.635.100Intimidating any … classified employee … by threat of force or violence is unlawful.

Both violations are gross Both violations are gross misdemeanors with $500 misdemeanors with $500 fines and six months in jail.fines and six months in jail.

Laws Protecting Drivers, cont.Laws Protecting Drivers, cont.

SummarySummary

Remember the danger zoneRemember the danger zone Adjust your mirrorsAdjust your mirrors Always use the correct proceduresAlways use the correct procedures Keep training studentsKeep training students

You Do A Great Job…You Do A Great Job…THANKS FOR KEEPING KIDS SAFE!