More students are killed while getting on or off a school bus each year than are killed as passengers inside of a school bus. As a result, knowing what to do before, during, and after loading or unloading students is critical. This section will give you specific procedures to help you avoid unsafe conditions which could result in injuries and fatalities during and after loading and unloading students. The information in this section is intended to provide a broad overview, but is not a definitive set of actions. It is imperative that you learn and obey the state laws and regulations governing loading/unloading operations in Idaho.
Approaching the Stop
Each school district establishes official routes and official school bus stops. All stops should be approved by the school district prior to making the stop. You should never change the location of a bus stop without written approval from the appropriate school district official.
You must use extreme caution when approaching a school bus stop. You are in a very demanding situation when entering these areas. It is critical that you understand and follow all state and local laws and regulations regarding approaching a school bus stop. This would involve the proper use of mirrors, alternating flashing lights, and when equipped, the moveable stop signal arm and crossing control arm.
When approaching the stop, you should:
Approach cautiously at a slow rate of speed.
Look for pedestrians, traffic, or other objects before, during, and after coming to a stop.
Continuously check all mirrors.
If the school bus is so equipped, activate alternating flashing amber warning lights at least 200 feet or approximately 8-10 seconds before the school bus stop or in accordance with Idaho law.
Continuously check mirrors to monitor the danger zones for students, traffic, and other objects.
Maintain your position in the center of the far right (curb-side) lane on multi-lane roadways, and in the center of the driving lane on two-lane roads (See Figures 10.4.b and 10.4.c).
Stop Position on Undivided Highway
Stop Position on a Divided Highway
When stopping you should:
Bring school bus to a full stop with the front bumper at least 12 feet away from students at the designated stop. This forces the students to walk to the bus so you have a better view of their movements.
With your foot on the brake pedal, place the transmission in Neutral (or Park if so equipped). During the stop, keep your foot on the brake pedal and/or set the parking brake.
NOTE: Follow your district’s policy on how you should set your transmission and brakes during the stop.
Activate the alternating red lights when traffic is a safe distance from the school bus and ensure stop arm is extended.
Make a final check to see that all traffic has stopped before completely opening the door and signaling the students to approach.
Loading Procedures
Perform a safe stop as described in previous section.
Students should wait in a designated location for the school bus, facing the bus as it approaches.
Students should board the bus only when signaled by the driver.
Monitor all mirrors continuously.
Count the number of students at the bus stop and be sure all board the bus. If possible, know names of the students at each stop. If there is a student missing, ask the other students where the student is.
Have the students board the school bus slowly, in single file, and use the handrail.
The dome light should be on while loading in the dark.
Wait until students are seated and facing forward before moving the bus.
Check all mirrors. Make certain no one is running to catch the bus.
If you cannot account for a student outside, secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus.
When all students are accounted for and seated, prepare to leave by:
Closing the door and deactivating the alternating flashing red lamps and withdrawing the stop arm and crossing control arm.
Engaging the transmission.
Releasing the brake(s).
Checking traffic and all mirrors again.
Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
When it is safe to do so, re-enter the traffic flow and continue the route.
The loading procedure is essentially the same wherever you load students, but there are slight differences. When students are loading at the school campus, you should:
Turn off the ignition switch.
Remove key if leaving driver’s compartment.
Position yourself to supervise loading as required or recommended by Idaho law, or the State Department of Education and/or school district regulations.
Unloading Procedures on the Route
Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in previous section.
Have the students remain seated until told to exit.
Check all mirrors.
Count the number of students while unloading to confirm the location of all students before pulling away from the stop.
Tell students to exit the bus and walk at least 12 feet away from the side of the bus to a position where the driver can plainly see all students.
Check all mirrors again. Make sure no students are around or returning to the bus.
If you cannot account for a student outside the bus, turn off the ignition, take the key, secure the bus, go outside and check around and underneath the bus.
When all students are accounted for and seated, prepare to leave by:
Closing the door and deactivating the alternating flashing red lamps and withdrawing the stop arm and crossing control arm.
Engaging transmission.
Releasing the brake(s).
Checking all mirrors again.
Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
When it is safe to do so, accelerate smoothly, re-enter the traffic flow, and continue the route.
Note: If you have missed a student’s unloading stop, do not back up. Be sure to follow local procedures.
Additional Procedures for Students That Must Cross the Roadway: You should understand what students should do when exiting a school bus and crossing the street in front of the bus. In addition, the school bus driver should understand that students might not always do what they are supposed to do. If a student or students must cross the roadway, they should follow these procedures:
Walk approximately 12 feet away from the side of the school bus to a position where you can see them.
Walk to a location at least 12 feet in front of the right corner of the bumper, but still remaining away from the front of the school bus.
Stop at the right edge of the roadway. You should be able to see their feet.
When the students reach the edge of the roadway, they should:
Stop and look in all directions, making sure the road-way is clear and is safe.
Check to see if the red flashing lights on the bus are still flashing.
Wait for your signal before crossing the roadway.
Upon your signal (i.e., hand motion from right to left), the students should:
Cross far enough in front of the school bus to be in your view.
Walk to the left edge of the school bus, stop, and look again for your signal to continue to cross the roadway.
Look for traffic in both directions, making sure the roadway is clear.
Proceed across the roadway, continuing to look in all directions.
It is important to understand that any hand (or other) signals given to students could be misinterpreted by motorists that are stopped in the area. Follow your district’s regulations concerning student actions outside the bus.
Unloading Procedures at School
State and local laws and regulations regarding unloading students at schools, particularly in situations where such activities take place in the school parking lot or other location that is off the traveled roadway, are often different than unloading along the school bus route. It is important that the school bus driver understands and obeys state and local laws and regulations. The following procedures are meant to be general guidelines.
When unloading at the school you should follow these procedures:
Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in previous section.
Secure the bus by: Placing the transmission in neutral or park. Setting the parking brake. Turning off the ignition switch. Removing the key if leaving driver’s compartment.
Have the students remain seated until told to exit.
Position yourself to supervise unloading as required or recommended by your state or local regulations.
Have students exit in orderly fashion.
Observe students as they step from the bus to see that all move promptly away from the unloading area.
Walk through the bus and check for hiding/sleeping students and items left by students.
Check all mirrors. Make certain no students are returning to the bus.
If you cannot account for a student outside the bus and the bus is secure, take the key and check around and underneath the bus.
When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
Closing the door.
Fastening safety belt.
Starting engine.
Engaging the transmission.
Releasing the parking brake.
Turning on left turn signal.
Checking all mirrors again
Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
When it is safe to do so, pull away from the unloading area.
Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading
Dropped or Forgotten Objects: Always focus on students as they approach the bus and watch for any who disappear from sight.
Students may drop an object near the bus during loading and 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.
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.
Handrail Hang-ups: Students have been injured or killed when clothing, accessories, or even parts of their body get caught in the handrail or door as they exited the bus. You should closely observe all students exiting the bus to confirm that they are in a safe location prior to moving the bus.
Pre-trip and Post-trip Inspection
Your district will give you training on the required pre and post-trip inspections for your bus. Follow your district’s policies and procedures.
The Driver’s Inspection Report notifies your company of the condition of the bus and identifies any defects or deficiencies found that would make the bus unsafe or cause it to break down. Depending on your company’s policy regarding the distribution of the inspection report, if possible, you should leave a copy of the inspection report in the bus for at least a day so it can be reviewed by the next driver. During your inspection of the bus, you should walk both through and around the vehicle looking for the following:
Articles left on the bus.
Sleeping students.
Open windows and doors.
Mechanical/operational problems with the bus, with special attention to items that are unique to school buses – mirror systems, flashing warning lamps and stop signal arms.
Damage or vandalism.
Any problems or special situations should be reported immediately to your supervisor or school authorities.
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