1. Safe Student 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 10-foot area around the bus. The Danger Zone

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

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

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

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

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

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 … Interior Rearview Mirror INCORRECT Adjustment … and not enough of the front seats

21. School Bus Stop Locations

22. ► ► 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) Requirements for School Bus Stop Locations

23. ► ► 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. ► ► Must have sufficient room for students to safely wait off the roadway ► ► Look for well-lit, open areas School Bus Stop Locations Other Considerations

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

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 STOPS LOADING & UNLOADING ON THE ROAD

30. KEEP CHECKING YOUR MIRRORS

31. 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! On the Road – School Bus Stop

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. ► ► 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. On the Road – Bus Stop cont.

34. ► ► 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. On the Road – Bus Stop cont.

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

36. Off The Road Stops Student 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. 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 Off the Road – Bus Stop cont.

40. 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 Off the Road – Bus Stop cont.

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 Zone Loading and Unloading

43. 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 School Zone Loading/Unloading

44. ► 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. School Zone Loading/Unload cont.

45. Loading and Unloading Turnaround Stops

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

47. Stop Logistics 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.

51. Heavy Traffic Stops ► ► AM   Students at the stop early   Wait until all kids are seated ► ► PM have students:   Move forward   Be ready to disembark   Wait for all students to clear

52. Courteous Driving ► ► At all times, represent the school district in a professional manner ► ► If you have traffic backed up from student loading/unloading, do what you can to safely let traffic clear

53. Student Behavior and the Loading Process

54. ► ► Walk safely to the bus stop ► ► Arrive early (district procedure) ► ► Respect private property and use good behavior at the stop ► ► Load the bus single file – no pushing or shoving Student Instruction

55. ► If they cross the road to the bus:  Wait for the Driver’s signal  Cross 10’ in front of the bus  Never cross behind the bus  Stay out of the Danger Zone ► Always use the handrail getting on or off the bus Student Instruction, cont.

56. ► ► Only get off the bus at your assigned bus stop (follow district procedure) ► ► Stay seated until the bus comes to a complete stop ► ► Look both ways as you step off the bus Student Instruction, cont.

57. Bus Stop Behavior ► ► Drivers have responsibility to report students misbehaving at bus stops ► ► School districts have responsibility for the safety of students   To and from the school bus stop (some)   Getting on and off the school bus   While the student is on the bus

58. Parents or Unauthorized Individuals on the School Bus

59. Insistent and Concerned Parent ► Assure them you would like to talk about their concerns ► Give them a name and phone # ► Remind them you have a schedule ► Ask them to step off the bus ► Warn them of any further action

60. Unauthorized Individuals ► Try to keep them off the bus ► If they get on the bus, keep asking them to leave ► Call for 911 ► Try to stay calm and keep your students calm ► Make notes about the intruder

61. RCW 28A.635.090 Interference by force or violence (1) It’s unlawful for any person … to interfere by force or violence with any … classified employee, (or) person under contract with the … school district … in the … conduct of his or her duties …. Laws Protecting Bus Drivers

62. RCW 28A.635.100 Intimidating any … classified employee … by threat of force or violence is unlawful. Both violations are gross misdemeanors with $500 fines and six months in jail. Laws Protecting Drivers, cont.

63. Summary  Remember the danger zone  Adjust your mirrors  Always use the correct procedures  Keep training students You Do A Great Job… THANKS FOR KEEPING KIDS SAFE!