School Bus Loading and Unloading - Tips for Parents and Kids

 

Schools buses operate under different laws from state to state, and even from district to district, but by following specific best practices, drivers help keep students safe.

Did you know that the most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the school bus? Check out Jay's Bus Service tips on how you can help keep children safe while they are travelling to and back from school.

 

Loading and Unloading School Buses Safely

Be sure to wait in a designated area, off the sealed road, and well back from the road (where hazards like power poles, drains, and trees aren't present). Before boarding, wait until the bus has stopped and the door has opened.

If you see a school bus slowing down or stopping, you need to pay attention to the surrounding area as well as the bus. Children wait at least several feet away from a bus and often cross the street when they’re boarding or getting off the bus. This is why you must stop for school buses, and don’t attempt to pass.

It is crucial to follow safety guidelines when loading and unloading buses because small children are difficult to see. The following are some of the best practices used by New Jersey’s premier school bus service forschools, camps and charter trips:

·        You should educate all riders on the dangers of walking behind a bus and remind them not to do so. After they exit the bus, students should stay at least five large steps away from the bus. Dropped items should be reported to the driver and not picked up. It is also important to warn riders not to run to catch the bus.

·        Loading and unloading procedures at school should be supervised by adults. Whenever younger children board or exit a bus, their parents should be present.

·        Drivers should load and unload students slowly, even if they are running late.

·        In any case, a bus should not move if a student is within 10 feet of it.

·        Only back up when absolutely necessary. Before a bus begins moving, the driver's window should be opened and the horn sounded.

·        In order to let students know when it is safe to cross a street, consistent signals should be used, such as pointing or nodding. To motorists, waving can be mistaken for a passing signal.

·        To ensure the safety of all children, students should be counted when entering and exiting the bus.

·        Before stopping a bus to load or unload students, warning signals should always be used.

·        During loading and unloading, keep an eye on all mirrors.

·        When stopping, stay to the right.

 

To ensure school bus safety, it is imperative that all drivers receive comprehensive training. The school district should develop materials that outline safe entry and exit procedures for students and drivers, if it has not already done so.

To learn more about safe school bus transport and the tools that are keeping students safe, contact the Lakewood transportation specialists at Jay’s Bus Service.