It is a driver’s responsibility to make sure that children are safe during their school bus ride. Though several factors ranging from GPS tracking to RFID tags adds to the school bus safety of children, the driver’s role in maintaining a safe ride is incredible.
Several accidents happen today to children, by a hit by the bus or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A research by the National Safety Council reports that most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they're walking.
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School Bus Safety Facts You Should Know About
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Know the specific drop-off procedures for the school year. This ensures safety for all kids.
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Make sure that children will not exit school bus until all traffic has stopped and the safety equipment has been engaged.
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Be strict with your timings. Never sacrifice safety to follow your schedule. Safety should be given priority.
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Keep full focus on driving. Don’t distract yourself by listening to music or by playing handheld video games.
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Be more alert when school bus and children are around. Obey speed limit signs in school zones.
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Be aware of the school bus laws in your state. While yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop, pickup or drop off children, red flashing lights and an extended stop arm signal shows that the bus is stopped, and that children are getting on or off.
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While leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school. Drive slow.
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Also take extra care to look out for children while driving near playgrounds and parks, and any residential areas.
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A pre-trip inspection prior to every run will help to test your brakes know about any mechanical defects available.
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Make the children aware of the safe loading and unloading procedures. Also make them familiar with school bus emergency procedures and equipment use.
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after unloading all children at the school or after your last stop,
just check to make sure that no children is left in the bus. Don’t
ever compromise school bus safety.
An ideal driver should also be aware of all routes, school bus
regulations as well as scheduling system and procedures.
You
should also be very careful while sharing the road bus with other
school buses. Never pass a bus from behind on an undivided road –
if it is stopped to load or unload children. Stop the bus far enough
back so that the children can safely enter and exit the bus.
