Safe Student Loading and Unloading

1. SafeStudent Loading and Unloading 2008 - 2009 Washington State School Bus Driver Inservice

2. Introduction • The danger zone • Mirror adjustment • School bus stop locations • Safe Loading and Unloading • Student Instruction

3. The Danger Zone The 10-foot area around the bus.

4. The Safe Walk Zone Front Where drivers expect kids to walk.

5. Why it’s the danger zone. The driver can’t see them Increased risk Where it is safe to walk? Instruction to Students

6. Correct Mirror Adjustments

7. Left 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.

8. Left Flat Mirror Correct Adjustment 200 Feet Visible behind bus Only “1 inch” of bus ‘showing’ in the mirror

9. INCORRECT Mirror Adjustment Most of the mirror just shows the side of the bus

10. 200 Feet Visible behind bus Only 1 inch of bus showing Right Flat Mirror Correct Adjustment

11. INCORRECT Mirror Adjustment Mirror doesn’t show the rear wheels Too much of the bus shows in the mirror

12. Left and Right Convex Mirrors • 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)

13. 12 feet out at 32 feet back from the front bumper

14. 12 feet out at 32 feet back from the front bumper

15. Left and Right Cross-view Mirrors • 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.

16. Left cross-view mirror

17. Right cross-view mirror

18. Interior Rearview Mirror • The top of the rear window • The first row of seats

19. Interior Rearview Mirror CORRECT Adjustment The mirror is just showing the rear window … … and the front row of seats

20. Too much of the bus ceiling … … and not enough of the front seats Interior Rearview Mirror INCORRECT Adjustment

21. School Bus Stop Locations

22. Requirements for 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)

23. Requirements for 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)

24. School Bus Stop LocationsOther Considerations • Must have sufficient room for students to safely wait off the roadway • Look for well-lit, open areas

25. Prohibited School Bus Stop Locations • Within or blocking intersections • On a sidewalk • On a planting strip • On a crosswalk (RCW 46.61.570)

26. Loading & Unloading Procedures

27. A Driver’s Responsibility Safe Student Loading and Unloading Each Stop – Every Day WAC 392-145-060 (3)

28. A Driver’s Responsibility Know and follow the laws and regulations for loading and unloading students Check for sleeping kids at the end of each route.

29. STUDENT STOPSLOADING & UNLOADING ON THE ROAD

30. KEEP CHECKING YOUR MIRRORS

31. On the Road – School Bus Stop Check your mirrors! Activate the alternating flashing amber lights before the school bus stop: • Speed limit 35 mph or less 100 to 300 feet • Speed limit more than 35 mph 300 to 500 feet Check your mirrors!

32. On the Road - Bus Stop cont. • Slowly approach and stop Check your mirrors! • Set parking brake – Transmission in N Check your mirrors! • Activate red alternating flashing lights (with the switch -- not the door) • Check your mirrors & open the door.

33. On the Road – Bus Stop cont. • 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.

34. 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.

35. When NOT to Use the 8-Light System: • On school property • Loading & unloading off the road • While backing or at RR crossings • To assist another school bus driver to control traffic

36. Off The Road StopsStudent Loading & Unloading

37. Off 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 stop Check your mirrors! • Cancel the turn signal

38. 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

39. Off the Road – Bus Stop cont. 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

40. Off the Road – Bus Stop cont. Keep checking your mirrors • Cancel the hazard lights and engage the left turn signal Check your mirrors… • Watch for unexpected students Check your mirrors • Merge back into the traffic

41. State regulation requires the use of the parking brake every time you are loading or unloading passengers.  WAC 392-145-060 (10)

42. School ZoneLoading and Unloading

43. School Zone Loading/Unloading Keep checking your mirrors • Approach the load zone w/ care • Set the parking brake • Transmission in neutral/park • Turn off the engine • Check your mirrors - open door • Monitor students

44. School Zone Loading/Unload cont. • AM: walk through the bus for forgotten items or sleepers • Minimize idling in the load zone • Remove the key if leaving bus. • If backing is necessary, have another adult assist you.

45. Loading and UnloadingTurnaround Stops

46. Turnaround Stops • Any turnaround stop requires specific, previous authorization • Back into least traveled portion • AM: Load students, then back • PM: Back first, then unload

47. Stop Logistics

48. Inclement Weather Routes and Stops • Let dispatch know if the roadway conditions change after the routes or stops are established (Example: a new road is put in)

49. Road Construction • Let dispatch know if you see a sign indicating scheduled road construction • Emergency road closures – don’t release students without notification or authorization.

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