1. PRE-SERVICE OPTIONAL UNIT 6
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
AND SCHOOL BUS SAFETY
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.W

2. Optional Unit 6.1:
Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse
DEATH BY DRUNK DRIVER
1/3 of all traffic fatalities are caused by drunk drivers
An American is killed by a drunk driver every 30 minutes
The worst school bus tragedy in American history was caused by a drunk driver*
The Carrollton, Kentucky crash claimed 27 lives when a drunk driver on the wrong side on an interstate struck a school bus and caught the bus on fire.
Site of Carrolton KY
bus tragedy – caused by
a drunk driver
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.1.1,2

3. Optional Unit 6.1:
Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
School bus drivers have a unique opportunity to influence young people about the serious responsibilities of driving a motor vehicle*
School bus drivers are awesome role models.
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.1.2

4. RECOGNIZING DRIVERS DRIVING DRUNK
Optional Unit 6.1:
Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse
RECOGNIZING DRIVERS DRIVING DRUNK
Wide turns
Straddling lanes
Weaving
Driving slowly
Disobeying signs/signals
Headlights off
Evening sports trip dangers!*
School bus drivers need to be able to recognize drunk drivers on the road with them. The possibility that a nighttime driver exhibiting each of these behaviors has a BAC of .10 or more is described in the Trainee Manual. Give these drivers plenty of space!
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.1.3

5. SUBSTANCE TYPES Depressants Alcohol, Pain pills, Sedatives Stimulants
Optional Unit 6.1:
Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse
SUBSTANCE TYPES
Depressants
Alcohol, Pain pills, Sedatives
Stimulants
Caffeine, speed, cocaine
Narcotics
Codeine, heroin, morphine
Hallucinogens
Pot, LSD, inhalants*
Discuss effects on driving for each substance type outlined in Trainee Manual.
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.1.4

6. LEGAL BUT DANGEROUS DRUGS
Optional Unit 6.2:
Drug and Alcohol – Personal Awareness
LEGAL BUT DANGEROUS DRUGS
Personal medications, Vitamins, supplements
“Do not drive while taking this medication”
Drowsiness, blurred vision, aches, nausea, reactions
Combinations dangerous!
Ask doctor or pharmacist
Clear new medications*
Inform all your doctors, including the one administering your bus driver physical, of all your medications as well as any vitamins or supplements that you take.
Read medicine literature carefully. If it says that it might make you drowsy ro should be taken while driving or operating machinery, don’t take it and drive school bus.
Drowsiness, blurred vision, aches, nausea, and other unexpected reactions can be side effects of over-the-counter or prescribed medicines and any of these in combination can create totally unexpected effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible reactions to your drugs in combination.
Clear any new medications though the school doctor before taking them and driving children.
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.2.1

7. PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT the CHILDREN
Optional Unit 6.2:
Drug and Alcohol – Personal Awareness
PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT the CHILDREN
You are a bus driver 24/7
Personal DWAI/DWI = Disqualified
It doesn’t matter
Report co-workers
Protect children
Coordination, vision, attention, fatigue, slurred speech, red eyes, lying*
The situation noted with the photo is a very scary story about a bus driver drunk on the job. As professional drivers, you need to report anything that could put children at risk – even a colleague.
Alfred, NY Wild, drunken ride, caught on tape. Bus driver has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for being drunk behind the wheel, during the harrowing trip that was captured on the vehicle's surveillance video.
Pre-Service Course Slide

8. New York Laws and Regulations
Optional Unit 6.3:
Drug and Alcohol Standards for Bus Drivers
New York Laws and Regulations
“Drivers shall not drink any liquid that might impair the safe operation” NYS SED
“Nor shall any person be permitted to drive when under the influence of any liquor or drug” NYS DOT
“No person shall consume a drug or intoxicating liquor or be under its influence within six hours” NYS DMV*
Fuller language for these laws and regulations is in the Trainee Manual.
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.3.1

9. WHAT’S THE COST? DWAI with passenger, Misdemeanor
Optional Unit 6.3:
Drug & Alcohol Standards for School Bus Drivers
WHAT’S THE COST?
DWAI with passenger, Misdemeanor
DWI with passenger, Felony
1st offense – 1 year license suspension
2nd offense – life suspension
1st Personal vehicle – 6 months*
The DWAI and DWI also come with steep fines and possible jail time.
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.3.2

10. Pre-Service Course Slide 6.3.2
CDL .02
DWAI .05
DWI .08
Aggravated DWI .18
CDL .04
The graphs show BAC levels for individuals weighing 100, 160 and 220 pounds when they drink a certain number of drinks per hour. Even a 220 pond person cannot drink one drink per hour and avoid removal from duty.
Review the different standards that come into play with personal vehicles and buses.
DMV: Aggravated DWI .18 BAC, DWI .08 BAC, DWAI .05 BAC
FMCSA: Removed from safety sensitive position for the day .02 BAC, Suspended for a year .04 BAC

11. CDL DRUG TESTING Started in 1991 Includes: Pre-employment (A)
Optional Unit 6.4:
Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
CDL DRUG TESTING
Started in 1991
Includes:
Pre-employment (A)
Post-accident (D/A)
Random (D/A)
Suspicion (D/A)
Return-to-duty (D/A)*
Tests are identified as Alcohol only (A) or both drug and alcohol ((D/A)
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.4.1

12. TESTING PROTOCOLS “Implied consent” “Split samples”
Optional Unit 6.4:
Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
TESTING PROTOCOLS
“Implied consent”
“Split samples”
Urine test for drugs
Breath test for alcohol
You may be tested whenever you are on duty
Avoid drinking large quantities of liquids (diluting sample)
Tests for:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Cocaine
Amphetamine
Opiates
PCP*
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.4.2

13. OPTIONAL UNIT 6 REVIEW
How often are Americans killed by drunk drivers?
T or F? “The worst school bus accident in U.S. history was caused by a drunk driver”
Which is NOT a behavior of drunk drivers?
Turning too wide
Straddling lanes
Stopping for an ambulance
Swerving
What are the possible consequences for DWI in a school bus
Class E Felony.
$ $5000 fine and possible jail time.
Loss of your CDL for at least a year.
All the above.*
Once every 30 minutes T c d
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.Ra

14. OPTIONAL UNIT 6 REVIEW cont.
T or F? “A school bus drivers should report another SB driver acting drunk”
What are the four categories of drugs?
If a urine test is diluted, what kind of test is performed next?
What happens if you have a .02 BAC?
What happens if you have a .04 BAC?
T or F? “If you are selected once for a random test, you can’t be picked again that school year”* T
Depressants, stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens
Another test with direct observation
Removed from safety-sensitive duties
Lose license for a year, 1st offense – loss license for life, 2nd offense F
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.Rb

15. OPTIONAL UNIT 6 REVIEW cont.
T or F? “Your supervisor can require you to take a ‘reasonable suspicion’ drug or alcohol test”
T or F? “If my doctor prescribed a medication, it’s safe for me to take it while driving bus”* T F
Pre-Service Course Slide 6.Rc