Loading and
Unloading Students
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Introduction
 Most accidents occur in loading and unloading
zones
 School bus drivers play a very important role
 The ride to and from school is an opportunity to
teach
 Education, alertness and awareness are the keys
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Presentation Overview
 A review of loading and unloading procedures
 A review of the four light system
 A review of the eight light system
 A review of off road loading and unloading
procedures
 Education, Alertness and Awareness
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Four Light System
 Check traffic ahead and to the rear of the bus
 Begin to brake gradually
 Stay in traffic lane to provide protection for
students
 Activate stop paddle
 Set brake, place bus in park or neutral and
maintain light pressure on the brake
 Never use the door switch to activate reds
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At the Bus Stop
 Train students to wait until you signal it’s safe to
cross
 Count students as they exit the bus
 Count students before leaving the stop
 Stay aware of back packs and clothing that could
become entangled when exiting the bus
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Eight Light System
 Check traffic ahead and to the rear of the bus
 Activate the amber flashing warning lamps
 Begin to brake gradually
 Stay in traffic lane
 Apply brakes and stop 6 to 8 feet short of students
 Activate stop paddle
 Set brake, place in park or neutral
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At the Bus Stop
 Train students to wait until you signal it’s safe to cross
 Count students as they exit the bus
 Stay aware of back packs and clothing that could become
entangled when exiting the bus
 Count students before leaving the stop
 Check for late students before leaving stop
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Hazard Warning Lights
 Only if students don’t cross and completely off the
roadway
 Check traffic ahead and to the rear
 Begin to brake gradually and activate right turn signal
 Pull off the roadway
 Set parking brake and place in park or neutral
 Deactivate right turn signal and activate hazard lights
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Hazard Warning Lights
 Check mirrors
 Open doors to load or unload students
 Shut doors, turn off hazard warning lights
 Activate left turn signal
 Release brake
 Check mirrors
 Students never cross in this situation
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Keeping Students Safe
 Count
 Eye Contact
 Driver Signal
 Student Behavior
 Emergency Vehicles approaching stop
 Seating arrangements
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Three Important Rules
Before leaving the stop:
 Check your mirrors and door
 Check your mirrors and door
 Check your mirrors and door
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The Six Danger Zones
 The front of your school bus
 The right side of the school bus
 The rear of the school bus
 The left side of the school bus
 The forward blind area on the left side
 The right side loading area
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Stop Paddle Violators
 Prepare in advance
 Prioritize information needed
 Safety First, information second
 Enlist the help of local law enforcement
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Summary
 Most school bus related injuries occur in the loading and
unloading area
 Approach the stop carefully
 Load and unload with caution
 Use the correct procedures for the four, eight and hazard
light systems
 Education, Alertness and Awareness
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Evaluation
1. Describe the safe techniques drivers can use to safely
load and unload students
2. Name the six danger zones around the school bus
3. Explain the procedure for the proper use of
 The four light system
 The eight light system
 Hazard warning light system
4. Where do school bus injuries and fatalities occur?
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Answers
Question #1
1. Correctly use the eight-light system
1. Instruct children on how to cross safely
2. Eye contact
3. Use a crossing signal
4. Count students
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Answers
Question #2
1. The front of the bus
2. The right side of the school bus
3. The rear of the bus
4. The left side of the bus
5. The forward blind area on the left side
6. The right side loading area
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Answers
Question #3
1. Check traffic ahead and to the rear of bus. Prior to
stopping the bus for the purpose of receiving or
discharging passengers, activate the alternating amber
flashing warning lamps if the bus is so equipped. Activate
the amber warning lamps:
a. No less than 100 feet and no more than 300 feet from the
bus stop where posted speed limit is 35 mph or less, or
b. No less than 300 feet and no more than 500 feet from the
bus stop where posted speed limit is 35 mph or more
(WAC 392-145-030)(5)
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Answers
Question #3
2. At the same time the ambers are activated or if bus is
equipped with a 4 light system, begin to brake gradually
a) 35 mph may require 300 to 400 feet
b) 20 mph may require about 200 feet
3. Stay in traffic lane so the bus can provide protection for
students
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Answers
Question #3
4. Apply brakes and check again for traffic to see if they
are stopping or preparing to stop. When possible, stop
6-8 feet short of students to keep them in your vision.
5. When the bus comes to a complete stop, set the
parking brake and place the transmission in neutral or
park prior to loading or unloading passengers. When it
is possible, maintain light pressure on the service
brake to activate the brake lamps when loading or
unloading passengers.
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Answers
Question #3
6. If you have students crossing, make sure they wait for your
signal before they cross.
7. Do not pull in your stop paddle or release your brake until
all students are seated and you have done one more
complete MIRROR CHECK for late students.
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Answers
Question #3
8. Check traffic to the front and rear of the bus, begin to
brake gradually.
9. 100 feet prior to stop, turn right turn signal. Apply foot
brake and check traffic.
10. Pull off roadway; stop 6-8 feet short of students, if
possible, to keep them in your vision.
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Answers
Question #3
11. Come to a complete stop, set your parking brake and
place the transmission in neutral or park prior to loading
or unloading passengers. When it is possible, maintain
light pressure on the service brake to activate the brake
lamps when loading or unloading passengers.
12. Deactivate your right turn signal and activate your hazard
warning lights.
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Answers
Question #3
13. CHECK MIRRORS. When safe, open doors to
load/unload students.
14. Shut doors, turn off hazard warning lights, and
activate left turn signal.
15. Release brake, CHECK MIRRORS, and pull back onto
roadway when safe.
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Answers
Question #4

CHECK YOUR MIRRORS and DOOR

CHECK YOUR MIRRORS and DOOR

CHECK YOUR MIRRORS and DOOR
Question #5
Statistics show most school bus related student accidents
and injuries occur in the loading and unloading area at
school bus stops.
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