 Learn about:
 Overall safety record of school buses
 23 Georgia school bus stop fatalities
 Occurred from 1995 to 2012
 Requirements/Recommendations for safe
school bus stop locations
 Sharing the road with motorists
 School Bus Danger Zone
2
 Learn about:
 Loading on streets & highways
 Driver procedures &
 Student safe behaviors
 At the bus stop
 When loading
 Unloading on streets & highways
 Driver procedures &
 Student safe behaviors
 Loading/unloading in a cul-de-sac or at a
turnaround
3
 Learn about:
 When not to use your eight-way lights
 Unloading on school campuses
 Driver procedures &
 Student safe behaviors
 Loading on school campuses
 Driver procedures &
 Student safe behaviors
 Keeping students safe by building effective
relationships
 Interacting with parents at the bus stop
4
5
•Safest form of ground transportation on earth
• Eight times safer than in a car (NHTSA)
• School bus = .2 fatalities/100 million miles
• Parent’s car = 1.5 fatalities/100 million miles
•School buses are built to be safe
• Provide passive passenger protection through
compartmentalization
• High seat backs
• Energy absorbing seat padding
• Closely spaced seating rows
• Smooth interior
6
•School buses are built to be safe Cont’d
• High floor impact line
• Structural and rollover protection
•Georgia school bus passenger fatalities are
rare
• Move one million+ students twice daily
• 4.5 times as many daily passengers as Delta
• 30+ trips around the earth daily
• One Georgia bus passenger highway fatality
in 17 years. (1995 – 2012)
• Not counting train collisions
7
 Loading & unloading are VERY dangerous
 Most bus related deaths occur here
 23 bus stop fatalities from 1995 to 2012
 1 on-board passenger fatality in same period
 Greatest duty is to keep your students safe
 Over half of fatalities were struck by bus
 Errors by student and/or
 Errors by school bus driver
 Remaining fatalities struck by motorists
 Vehicles on occasion will run stop arm
 Emphasis is on driver & student safe behaviors 8
Struck by School Bus – 12
Description
AM/PM
Total
Who
Exiting/crossing
PM x 7
7
Own bus x 7
Exiting book bag
PM
1
Own bus
Chasing bus @ school
PM
1
Own bus
Trans. Dept. park. lot
PM
1
Another bus
Waiting @ bus stop
AM
1
Another bus
Unscheduled stop
AM
1
Own bus
9
• 12 struck by school bus
• 7 by own bus when crossing in PM
• 1 by own bus when book bag caught in door
in PM
• 1 chasing after own bus when pulling away
from school in PM
• 1 by own bus when boarding at a different
stop in AM
• 1 by a passing bus @ bus stop in AM
• 1 by a bus in Transportation Department
parking lot when getting off in PM
10
Struck by Motorists – 11
Description
Possible willful
pass
Lost control
of vehicle
Boarding @
Unscheduled stop
AM
or PM Total
Where
2 AM
From front x 3
2 PM
4
From rear x 1
1 AM
1 PM
2
Right side of bus x 2
Front of bus x 2
5 AM
5
Other x 3
11
• 11 struck by other vehicle
• 2 when crossing in front of bus in PM
• 2 when crossing in front of bus in AM
• 1 when boarding from door side in AM
• Vehicle from front lost control while braking
• 1 when exiting to door side in PM
• Vehicle misapplied brakes & passed on right
• 2 when student chased after bus, crossing
multilane Hwy. to board in AM – no stop arm
• 1 when flagging bus in AM – no stop arm
• 1 crossing Hwy. in AM – before bus arrived
• 1 attempting to board at unscheduled stop 12
School Year
National School Bus
Loading And Unloading Survey
13
School Year
National School Bus
Loading And Unloading Survey
14
School Year
Loading & Unloading Fatalities
15
School Years
Loading & Unloading Fatalities
16
17
Questions & Answers
 Where do most school bus related student
deaths and injuries occur?
 When loading and unloading at the school
bus stop
 Historically, what vehicle poses the greatest
danger to students at the bus stop when
loading and unloading?
 The school bus
18
19
•Recommend visible for at least 300 feet
• Room for vehicles to stop
•Sufficient room for students to wait
• Recommend 12 feet off roadway
•Not cross more than 2
lanes
•Not located
• Within 30 feet of stop sign
or traffic control signal
•Use far right lane
•Stop short with students in direct view
20
 Stops should not be directly in a cul-de-sac
 Backing can be a danger to students
 Recommend stops not be closer than one
tenth mile
 Consider safety
 You must have critical eye for safe bus stops
 Established by supervisors, routing software,
etc.
 You will see & experience
 Report any issues to supervisor/office
21
 Discuss unsafe school bus stops
 Illustrate
 Describe
 Give examples
 Discuss bus stop & route change procedures
 How do drivers resolve
 Drivers should not change stops
 Who do they see
 What forms are used
 Etc.
22
Questions & Answers
 Name 3 school bus stop requirements
 A stopped school bus should be seen for
at least 300 feet
 There should be sufficient room for
students to stand 12 feet off the roadway
 It should not be located within 30 feet of a
stop sign or traffic light
23
Questions & Answers
 Which of the following is NOT a school bus
stop requirement?
 Stop should allow the bus driver to use
the far right lane
 Stop should allow the bus driver to stop
short of the stop
 Stop should be located directly in a culde-sac
 See your supervisor if you are unsure
about the safety of a stop
24
Questions & Answers
 What is the greatest number of lanes a
student can cross when loading or
unloading?
 Only 2 lanes
25
26
TWO LANE –
Vehicles traveling
In both directions
MUST STOP.
MULTI-LANE – Paved
TWO
Across
LANE –
Vehicles traveling inVehicles
both directions
traveling
MUST STOP.
In both directions
MUST STOP.
DIVIDED HIGHWAY – With dirt, grass
or barrier median – Vehicles behind
MUST STOP. Vehicles traveling in
opposite direction must use caution.
27
 Proper use of your amber 8-ways is critical
 Alerts motorists to:
 Slow down and prepare to stop
 Focus on unpredictable children
 Exercise caution @ bus stop
 Red 8-ways, stop arm & crossing gate
 Alerts motorists to stop & remain stopped
 Until students are aboard in AM
 Until all students are 12 feet off road in PM
 And stop arm is cancelled
28
Questions & Answers
 When does Georgia Law require vehicles to
stop when students are loading & unloading?
- On a 2 lane road?
 Stop from both the front and rear
- On a multi lane road with a paved median
(painted lines for median)?
 Stop from both the front and rear
- On a multi lane road with a divided median
(dirt, grass or concrete curb/wall for median)?
29
 Stop from just the rear
31
 Bus drivers must recognize the Danger Zone
 Very dangerous 12 foot area around stopped
bus when students load & unload
 Students are in danger
 Driver may not see students
 Vehicles may be moving
 Bus drivers must be totally focused
 Properly execute loading & unloading procedures
 See students with direct vision
 See students with properly adjusted mirrors
 Students must be taught the following
32
Most Dangerous
Danger Zone
Front
Danger from Passing
Danger Zone
School
Bus
Most Dangerous
Rear
Danger Zone
-12 Feet-
Danger Zone
-12 Feet-
Dangerfrom
fromPassing
PassingCars
Cars
Danger
Cars
33
Questions & Answers
 Describe the School Bus Danger Zone
 The 12 foot area that surrounds a stopped
school bus
 The most dangerous area near both front
tires, the right rear tires and the entrance
door
 The area around the stopped bus on both
the left and right where traffic is moving
when students are loading and unloading
34
Questions & Answers
 What should students do when in the School
Bus Danger Zone?
 Leave the Danger Zone and get the bus
driver’s attention and the driver’s
direction on what to do if they drop
something
 Stay away from the front tires, entrance
door area and right rear tires, where the
driver might not be able to see them
35
Questions & Answers
 What should students do when in the School
Bus Danger Zone? Cont’d
 Be sure they can always see the school
bus driver so the driver can see them
 Be aware that passing cars do not always
stop like they should
36
 Provide hands-on instruction using actual
school bus
 Move from classroom to school bus
 Mark the actual 12 foot area around the school
bus with cones
 Place items/people in different areas
 Take turns sitting in driver’s seat
 See how/if you can see within Danger Zone
 Demonstrate what student should do if
something is dropped
37
•Bus Driver Loading Procedures
•Student Safe Behaviors
•Bus Stop
•Loading from Door Side
•Loading from Across Road
38
•Tap/flash brakes
•Activate ambers at least 200 feet prior
• Activate even if no one is at stop
• Alerts approaching motorists of possible
stop
•Check mirrors for traffic
•Utilize care – 12 feet separation from students
•Always make a full stop, open door & look
• There could be a late arriving student
39
•Stop smoothly & fully in far right lane of road
•Stop so students come towards you from the
front
•(1)Set parking brake & (2)transmission in
neutral
•Once stopped, open door to activate red
flashing lights
•Be sure ALL traffic has stopped
•Count students, use eye contact & hand
signal for crossing students
40
•Count, recount, and account for all students
•Ensure everyone is on board, then close door
•Hold foot on brake
• (1) Shift from neutral to drive
• (2) Release parking brake
•Check mirrors before & as you pull away
•Ensure students are seated
41
• Running your route on schedule is critical
• Loss of routine and familiarity
• Will you be able to use your safety devices?
• No stop is safe without the use of
• 8-ways
• Stop arm
• Crossing gate
42
 Any stopped vehicle on the road is a hazard
 A stopped school bus = increased danger
 Load of students on board
 Students waiting @ bus stop
 Students loading/unloading
 When loading/unloading total focus is required
 When executing bus driver safety procedures
 Never use cell phone, interior 2-way radio,
interior PA system @ bus stop
 Discuss 40-6-165 & local operating procedures
43
• Discuss placement of stops so students are
in direct view
• Stop short of the stop
• Discuss & demonstrate your system’s driver
hand signal used for crossing students
44
Questions & Answers
 Name some things a bus driver must do when
LOADING students on the roadway
 Always tap the brakes and activate the
amber 8-ways 200 feet in advance of the
stop (even if no one is present)
 Pull no closer than 12 ft. to waiting students
 Pull into the far right or deceleration lane if
there is one
 Position the bus so you see students
coming towards you
45
Questions & Answers
 What do you do on your morning route if no
student is present at the bus stop?
 Always activate the ambers 200 feet before
the stop
 Always come to a full stop, set parking
brake, transmission to neutral, activate red
8-ways/open door
 Always look for late arriving students
before pulling away
46
Questions & Answers
 When do you activate the red eight-ways,
stop arm & crossing gate when LOADING?
 At every stop even if you see no one
 After coming to a complete stop
 After applying the parking brake and
shifting to neutral
 Is it permissible to talk on the 2-way radio
when loading and unloading?
 Never
47
Questions & Answers
 After loading, when should you cancel the
red eight-ways, stop arm and crossing gate?
 After accounting for all students
 After all students are safely on board
 After all students are seated
48
•Equal focus to teach and manage essential
safe student behaviors
• Protects your students
• You are the most important
• See and know what’s happening
• Primary duty – NOT an option
• Teach, re-teach, reinforce &
enforce safe behaviors
•Student instructional language in this unit
• Will be directed at the student
• Just like what you will say to the student
49
 High priority student safe behaviors
 Waiting @ bus stop
 Loading bus on roadway
 Must be taught by you daily
 High priority safe behaviors protect students
 Safety net for
 Your mistakes
 Motorist’s mistakes
 When safe behaviors are not followed
 Student injury or death
50
 Important behaviors at the bus stop:
 Arrive 5 minutes before bus is scheduled
 Go back home for help if you miss bus
 Never chase bus or walk to another stop
 Never have parents drive to another stop
 Bus driver will not expect you
 Have all items in book
bag before leaving home
 Wait in safe place, 12 feet
away from traffic
 Do not cross before bus comes
51
 Also, keep electronic equipment packed away
 When preparing to board
 Never use electronic devices or ear buds when
boarding (Discuss 20-2-751.5)
 These behaviors keep you safe
 When not followed = student injury or fatality
 Discuss what drivers should teach students
about being at the school bus stop on time
 Discuss what drivers should teach students
to do if they miss the bus
52
A blowing bus horn
means danger.
Look & find safety.
12 Feet
STAY
Danger
Zone
LOOK
WAIT
53
Loading from Across the Road
A blowing bus horn
means danger.
Look & find safety.
Danger
Zone
Danger
Zone
12 Feet
STAY
WAIT
12 Feet
STOP
LOOK
CROSS
54
 Important behaviors after boarding the bus
 Sit the safe way:
 Facing forward
 Back against seat back
 Bottom against seat
bottom
 Fully within the seat
space
 Hold belongings in lap
55
 Discuss where crossing students should be,
when waiting for bus driver’s hand signal
 Discuss where they must stop and look
 Discuss when/where door side and crossing
students must be looking for moving traffic
 Discuss why students should always be able
to see bus driver
 Discuss what students are to do if they drop
something
 Discuss why students should sit properly 56
Questions & Answers
 What are some essential safe student
behaviors when at the school bus stop?
 Arrive five minutes early
 Have all items in the book bag to include
electronics, ear buds or headphones
 Wait 12 feet off the roadway
 Stay on their side of the road until the bus
comes
 Form an orderly line, 12 feet from where
the bus stops
57
Questions & Answers
 If a student misses the school bus in the
morning, what should you teach them to
NEVER do?
 Chase after the bus
 Walk to another stop
 Have parents to drive them to another
stop
58
Questions & Answers
 If students who DO NOT have to cross the
road when LOADING, they should
 Stay 12 feet off the road and wait for the
bus to stop
 Look to be sure all cars stop before
moving forward
 Look for moving cars as they walk
forward and board the bus
 Stay away from front and rear tires
59
Questions & Answers
 For students who DO have to cross the road
when LOADING, they should
 Wait 12 feet off the road until the bus driver
signals that it’s safe to cross
 Stop at the edge of the road and be sure
all cars have stopped, before entering road
 Look for moving cars
 Cross 12 feet in front of bus
 Know that a continuous blowing of school
bus horn means danger
60
•Bus Driver Unloading Procedures
•Student Safe Behaviors
•Unloading to Door Side
•Unloading to Across Road
61
•Tap/flash brakes
•Activate ambers at least 200 feet prior
•Check mirrors
•Stop fully in far right lane of roadway
•Stop so you see students walking away
•(1)Set parking brake & (2)transmission in
neutral
•Crack/open door to activate red flashing lights
• Students stay until you give the “OK”
•Use direct vision and mirrors to check for traffic
62
•NEVER let students off until ALL traffic is
stopped
•Continue to look for approaching vehicles
• Move students as a group
•Use eye contact & hand signal for crossing
students x 2
•Count, recount, and account for all students
•Do not become distracted
• Account for all students 12 feet off roadway
•Close door
63
•With foot on brake
• (1) Shift from neutral to drive
• (2) Release parking brake
•Check mirrors before & as you pull away
• Did you account for all students?
• Is anyone still near the bus?
•Never allow
• Child to cross behind bus
• Child to go to mailbox
•Continue to check as you pull away
64
 Additional driver procedures
 Stop in far right/deceleration lane (if available)
 Passengers are to remain seated until stopped
 Students are to stop and look at bottom step
 Use continuous blowing of horn to warn
students if you see danger
 Do not move bus if you cannot account for all
 Get out and look if necessary
 Your total focus is required
 Never use cell phone, 2-way radio, interior PA
system @ bus stop
65
 Discuss how different types of entrance doors
in the bus fleet operate
 Manual – How do you
 Activate red 8-ways, stop arm & crossing gate?
 Control when students exit?
 Automatic – How do you
 Activate red 8-ways, stop arm & crossing gate?
 Control when students exit?
 Multi-position – How do you
 Activate red 8-ways, stop arm & crossing gate?
 Control when students exit?
66
 Discuss importance of not letting students
down steps if traffic is moving
 Discuss & demonstrate when/how two hand
signals are given to crossing students in PM
67
Questions & Answers
 How can you protect students from
approaching vehicles when UNLOADING?
 Make sure all vehicles are stopped before
telling students it’s OK to unload
 Instruct students to stop at bottom step
and look for moving vehicles before exiting
 Make eye contact w/crossing students at
both end of crossing gate & center of road
 Give 2 separate hand signals when it’s safe
to cross
68
Questions & Answers
 How can you protect students from
approaching vehicles when UNLOADING?
Cont’d
 Continuously blow your horn to warn
students if you see an approaching
vehicle that is a danger
 Continue to use direct vision and mirrors
to look for approaching vehicles
69
Questions & Answers
 What can you do to be sure you do not strike
one of your students with your bus when
UNLOADING?
 Stop short of the bus stop so you see
students walking away from the front of bus
with direct vision
 Count students and move them as a group
 As you are pulling away, continue to look
for anyone who might have reentered
Danger Zone
70
 High priority student safe behaviors
 Unloading bus on roadway
 Must be taught by you daily
 High priority safe behaviors protect students
 Safety net for
 Your mistakes
 Motorist’s mistakes
 When safe behaviors are not followed
 Student injury or death
71
A blowing bus horn
means danger.
Look & find safety.
12 Feet
Danger
Zone
LOOK
72
73
A blowing bus horn
means danger.
Look & find safety.
12 Feet
Danger
Zone
LOOK
LOOK
WALK
74
A blowing bus horn
means danger.
Look & find safety.
LOOK
Danger
Zone
WALK
Danger
Zone
12 Feet
12 Feet
LOOK
STOP & WAIT
STOP & WAIT
75
 Your bus poses the greatest danger
 30%+ Georgia student bus stop fatalities
killed by their PM bus
 Position bus to best see students departing
 Avoid distractions
 Count, recount and account for every student
 Teach students the Danger Zone
 They should not shortcut too close to crossing
gate
76
 Discuss importance of students putting away
electronics & no ear buds when exiting
 Discuss how book bags, drawstrings,
purses, etc. can get caught in the hand rail
or door
 Discuss procedures for students to ride
different bus or get off at different stop
77
Questions & Answers
 What are required student safe behaviors for
UNLOADING that you must teach ALL of
your riders?
 Put away electronic equipment, ear buds
and headphones before exiting the bus
 Remain seated until the bus stops
 Wait for bus driver OK before leaving bus
 Stay away from front and rear bus tires
78
Questions & Answers
 What are required student safe behaviors for
UNLOADING that you must teach ALL of
your riders? Cont’d
 Look for moving cars in all directions,
especially the right before exiting the bus
 Stay in full view of the bus driver and look
for moving cars when walking away
79
Questions & Answers
 If students DO have to cross the road after
UNLOADING, what must they do?
 Stop, make eye contact with the bus
driver and wait for the driver’s signal that
it is safe to cross at both end of crossing
gate and again at center of road
 Look for moving cars to their left and right
when walking across and exiting 12 feet
off the road
 Never cross behind the bus
80
81
 Avoid backing on your route if possible
 Look for an alternative
 Never back with students on the ground
 Load students first, then back in AM
 Vision is restricted
 A student could be hit
 Avoid backing into traffic
 Back first, then unload students in PM
 Get permission to use private driveway
 Avoid placement of bus stops in cul-de-sac
 Backing could place students in danger
82
Questions & Answers
 If traveling in a cul-de sac, where should you
avoid placing a bus stop?
 Within the cul-de-sac
83
Questions & Answers
 If you have to back at a roadway bus stop . . .
 When LOADING, do you load or back first?
 Load 1st
 When UNLOADING, do you unload or back
first?
 Back 1st
 If using a driveway to back, do you back into
the driveway or do you back into traffic?
 Back into the driveway
84
85
 Do NOT use eight-ways
 On school property
 While loading/unloading off roadway
 In driveways
 While backing
 While making turnarounds
 While stopping at railroad crossings
 For fog or inclement weather (if not
loading/unloading)
86
 Do NOT use eight-ways
 To assist another bus driver who is loading or
unloading
 To assist another driver to enter traffic
 To assist non-bus passenger pedestrians in
crossing the street
 ONLY should be used to load & unload
students on the roadway
 Never confuse a motorist by improper use of
8-way lights
87
Questions & Answers
 When is it permissible to use your 8-way
amber and red flashing lights?
 ONLY to pick up and unload students on
the roadway
88
89
 Separate parent traffic if possible
 Exercise caution when entering school
parking lots
 5 MPH maximum speed
 Approach unloading area VERY carefully
 Drop so exit door is on school side
 Students should not be crossing through
traffic
 Drop ONLY in designated areas
 Recommend parking so in emergency,
students can exit through rear door
90
 School staff should be on duty to supervise
 Should have 2-way communication w/office
 Set parking brake & shift to neutral
 Turn off engine
 Open door
 Instruct students to use handrail
 Notify staff on duty if administrator is required
 Never leave students unattended
 Observe last student(s) who exit are clear of
bus
91
 Get out of seat & walk to back of bus
 Look for sleeping students, valuables left
behind, vandalism, etc.
 Reassume driving position
 Buckle up
 Check mirrors for stragglers before starting
 Wait your turn to signal & leave
 Never pass a bus unless
 Directed by school staff
 Directed by another bus driver
 Then do so VERY carefully
92
 Avoid backing @ schools
 If required use spotter
 Leave campus slowly & cautiously
 Watch for students and other hazards
 Don’t exceed 5 MPH
 Maintain safety cushion between buses
 Be prepared to stop
 Stop before entering public roadway
 Look left-right-left
 Carefully yield to traffic
93
 Discuss any unusual issues @ individual
schools
 Discuss importance of reduced speed on
campus
 Discuss need for driver patience when bus
access is restricted by other vehicles.
 If unsure if bus will fit – WAIT for vehicles
to move
94
Questions & Answers
 When on the school campus, what is the
fastest speed you can ever drive?
 5 miles per hour
95
Questions & Answers
 When UNLOADING AT SCHOOL in the AM,
what are some important bus driver duties?
 Unload only in the designated area
 Park so students can exit through rear of
other buses
 Get out of seat and walk to rear of bus
checking for sleeping children, valuables
and vandalism
 Make a final check for students near bus
before starting
96
 Important student behaviors when
unloading at school:
 Make sure no items get caught in handrail
or door
 Exit danger zone
& get bus driver’s
attention
 Something left
behind on bus
 Something dropped
near bus
97
 Remain seated until bus stops and door is
opened
 Do not push or shove, but wait your turn to
get off
 Have all belongings
inside book bag
 Use handrail for safety
 Walk (don’t run)
straight towards school
 Stay away from bus, in full view of driver
98
 Keep walking until out of danger zone, 12
feet away from bus
 Never run between parked cars and buses
 Walk directly
inside school
 Do not wait for
friends
99
 Discuss the importance of items being inside
the student’s book bag before they exit.
100
Questions & Answers
 When students UNLOAD AT SCHOOL in the
morning, they should
 Walk (don’t run) straight towards school
 Stay away from the bus so they can be
seen
 Keep walking until they get out of Danger
Zone, 12 feet away from bus
 Leave any dropped item, leave the Danger
Zone, get the bus driver’s attention and
wait for their direction
101
102
 Separate parent traffic if possible
 Exercise caution when entering school
 5 MPH maximum speed
 Approach loading area carefully
 Arrive & position bus before dismissal if
possible
 Approach loading area @ 2-3 MPH
 If students are present exercise extreme
caution
 Load ONLY in designated area
103
 Follow direction of bus duty staff member
 They provide
 Supervision of students
 Emergency support for student safety
 2-way communication with school office
 Recommend bus position allows exit through
rear
 Set parking brake & shift to neutral
 Turn off engine
 No idling
 Young lungs are at work!
104
 If you have already delivered a load
 Get out of your seat and look for
 Sleeping students
 Valuables left behind
 Vandalism
 If you leave your bus
 Remove the ignition key
 Be back BEFORE 1st student arrives
 Be on bus or @ entrance door when boarding
 Identify students are yours
105
 Instruct students
 Use handrail & be seated
 Assume driving position
 Buckle up
 Check mirrors
 Make final check for stragglers
 If students are disorderly, don’t leave
 Gain control
 Use bus duty staff member if required
 Never leave students unsupervised
106
 Bus duty supervisory staff members
 Responsible for safe & orderly loading
 Clear all lanes of students before buses exit
 Stationed @ front of bus line to see when
safe to exit
 You must wait for their signal
 Supervise students waiting for late buses &
2nd load buses
 Students wait until
 Bus is completely stopped
 Door is opened
107
 Wait for the bus in front of you to leave
 Signal before moving
 Don’t pass a bus or back in loading zone
unless directed by
 Another bus driver
 School staff member
 Use spotter if backing
 Back VERY carefully
108
 Leave campus slowly & cautiously
 Watch for students and other hazards
 Don’t exceed 5 MPH
 Maintain safety cushion between buses
 Be prepared to stop
 Stop before entering public roadway
 Look left-right-left
 Carefully yield to traffic
 Avoid distractions
109
 Discuss school district procedures and any
unusual afternoon loading procedures at
individual schools.
 Discuss how bus drivers are given the signal
that it’s OK to depart school(s).
110
Questions & Answers
 When LOADING AT SCHOOL in the PM, what
are some important bus driver duties?
 Turn off engine. No idling while loading.
 Park so students can exit through rear door
 If you just delivered a load, get out of seat,
walk to back looking for sleeping students,
valuables and vandalism
 Be on bus or at entrance door before
students board
111
Questions & Answers
 When LOADING AT SCHOOL in the PM,
what are some important bus driver duties?
Cont’d
 If students are disorderly, don’t depart
until you gain control. Ask staff person
on bus duty for help if needed. Never
leave students unattended.
 Make final check for stragglers before
pulling away
112
 Important student behaviors when loading
at school:
 Have all belongings inside book bag before
leaving classroom
 Dropped items are
a danger
 Get driver’s attention
 Never chase after a
moving bus
 Better to miss bus
and be safe!
113
 Walk slowly towards bus. Never run.
 Walk straight towards bus door
 Be sure bus driver can see you
 Stay away from front and rear bus tires and
board bus promptly
 Load in an orderly
manner
 If you get on wrong
bus by mistake, tell
bus driver
114
 Use handrail for safety
 Go directly to seat
 Never place head, arms or any object out
of bus window
115
 Discuss the bus driver’s role in teaching
students not to chase after a moving bus
that is departing the school.
116
Questions & Answers
 What are some important student safe
behaviors when LOADING AT SCHOOL?
 Have items inside book bag
 Walk, don’t run
 Make sure your driver sees you
 Walk straight towards bus door
 Stay away from front and rear tires
 If you get on the wrong bus, tell the driver
 Never place arms or head outside window
 Never chase after the bus
117
119
 You have now learned what keeps students
safe at bus stops so . . .
 How do you best get them to carry out
these required safe behaviors?
 “I’m the authority” – tell them and they will obey
 Just recite rules and procedures
 Sometimes use of authority is necessary, but
required safe behaviors . . .
 Best achieved by building a relationship of
trust and respect?
 Yes!
120
 Your use of proven interpersonal skills
 Increases chance of achieving safe student
behaviors at school bus stops
 Building effective relationships includes
 How you communicate
 How you listen
 Your attitude
 Your body language
 Your tone of voice
 How you present yourself
121
 Use of the following guiding principals helps
you to
 Develop a strong relationship with students
 Promote willful school bus safety
compliance
 They comply because they
 Respect you
 Listen to you
 Want to do the safe thing
 NOT just because you told them to do
something
122
 Put on a happy face
 Smile often
 Have an upbeat attitude
 Don’t let your bad day affect others
 Show that you care
 Use praise with students
 Say Thank You for small things
 Find at least one good student trait
 Let them know about it
 If you care about them
 Encourages them to give you their best
123
 Show your genuine interest
 Get to know names
 Get to know them personally
 Athletics
 Band, etc.
 Look them in the eye when speaking
 Be an active listener
 Shows you both hear & recognize their view
 Repeat what they said in your own words
 Shows you heard them before you answer
 Allows you to connect and understand them124
 Promote fairness and consistency
 Create consistent & cooperative environment
 Show fairness to everyone
 No one’s opinion is more valued than another
 What’s right today is right tomorrow
 Your students will trust you
 Settle disputes
 You want students to turn to you for disputes
 Identify and resolve conflict
 Bus will be a happier & safer place
 You will be known as a leader
125
 Be a great communicator
 Don’t say 1st thing that comes to your mind
 Think about words that you use
 Be clear so there is no confusion
 If you speak before you think, people will not
value what you say
 Make them laugh
 Don’t take yourself too seriously
 Use appropriate sense of humor
 Breaks down barriers
 Gets on board to do what you need
126
 Put yourself in their shoes
 Compassionate person can understand how
someone feels
 Compassion is important when working with
others
 Consider things from another’s viewpoint
 What’s obvious to you could be seen differently
 Don’t be a grumpy whiner
 Negativity can push others away
 Be professional and in the moment
 Be focused on the job at hand
127
 Discuss how building a relationship of trust
and respect helps to keep students safe
 At bus stop, when loading & unloading
 Discuss why just reciting and harping on bus
safety rules is not enough to get the
cooperation of students
 Discuss how gaining student support also
helps with parents supporting you when
needed
128
Questions & Answers
 What is the best way for you to get students
to carry out safe behaviors that keep them
safe at the bus stop and when loading and
unloading?
 Build a relationship of respect and trust
129
Questions & Answers
 What are some things you can do to build an
effective relationship to keep students safe?
 Be pleasant, not grumpy
 Find good things they do & praise
 Get to know their names & show an interest
 Listen to what they have to say
 Promote fairness and consistency
 Identify and resolve conflict on your bus
 Put yourself in their shoes
 Have a sense of humor
130
131
 Parents will want to talk to you at the bus stop
 May have concerns
 May have requests
 May just want to talk
 Can be a distraction to your most important job
 Focus on loading & unloading is essential
 Never become distracted by a parent
 Take care of students first, then the parent
 If possible resolve quickly and safely
proceed
132
 Never become distracted by a parent Cont’d
 If resolution requires more time
 QUICKLY acknowledge concerns
 If I understand correctly, you are concerned
about . . .
 If the concern is valid
 I can understand why you feel the way you
do
 Share that you understand concern is important
 I know this is important to you
 Convey that you want to address concern
 And I want to give attention it deserves 133
 Never become distracted by a parent
 If resolution requires more time Cont’d
 Refer them to appropriate resource to resolve
 I need to continue my route
 Please contact the school or transportation
department
 They can take as much time as needed
 I’m sorry, but I have to go
134
 If situation is tense or parent is angry
 Conduct yourself to reduce tension
 Stay calm
 Calm is strength – decreases anger
 Anger is weakness – increases anger
 Listen to WHAT & not HOW something is said
 Resist interrupting unless concern can’t be
resolved at bus stop
 Never interrupt to make a point
 Easy to say, but difficult to do!
135
 If situation is tense or parent is angry
 Conduct yourself to reduce tension Cont’d
 Resist being defensive
 Restate concern so parent knows you
understand issue
 Avoid immediate explanations
 Time between request and response shows
consideration is being given
 Show respect to individual
 They are partners – it’s their child
 Respect given = them treating you same way
136
 If someone who is unauthorized, attempts to
board your bus
 Advise that minor children are present
 Ask person to please not enter the bus
 Ask person to please leave the bus
 This assures that 20-2-1182 can be legally
administered
 Can make a difference in legal judgment
 Discuss 20-2-1181 and 20-2-1182
137
 Discuss method drivers are to use to provide
contact information
 3 x 5 index card
 Supervisor’s business card, etc.
 Discuss best way for parents to communicate
 Written note to driver
 E-mail, etc.
 Discuss why the bus stop is not the best or
safest place to resolve concerns
138
 Discuss what parent interaction is appropriate
at bus stop
 Discuss how interacting & communicating
properly with a parent can turn confrontation
to satisfactory resolution
139
Questions & Answers
 What are the 2 most important things you
must do when dealing with parents at a
school bus stop?
 Do not allow yourself to become
distracted by the parent when you are
loading or unloading
 If parent is angry, conduct yourself so
tension is reduced
140
Questions & Answers
 If an individual who is not authorized,
attempts to board your bus you should
 Advise them that minor children are
present
 Ask them to not enter the bus or
 Ask then to please leave the bus
141
 We have learned about:
 Overall safety record of school buses
 23 Georgia school bus stop fatalities
 Occurred from 1995 to 2012
 Requirements/recommendations for safe
school bus stop locations
 Sharing the road with
motorists
 School Bus Danger Zone
142
 We have learned about:
 Loading on streets & highways
 Driver procedures &
 Student safe behaviors
 At the bus stop
 When loading
 Unloading on streets & highways
 Driver procedures &
 Student safe behaviors
 Loading/unloading in a cul-de-sac or at a
turnaround
143
 We have learned about:
 When not to use your eight-way lights
 Unloading on school campuses
 Driver procedures &
 Student safe behaviors
 Loading on school campuses
 Driver procedures &
 Student safe behaviors
 Building effective relationships w/students
 Gets them to comply w/required safe behaviors
 Interacting with parents at the school bus stop
144
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