1. Vehicle Training NHTSA School Bus Driver In-Service Safety Series

2. Vehicle Training NHTSA School Bus Driver In-Service Safety Series

3. 3 Module Purpose u Describe the handling characteristics of each bus. u Recognize when the mirrors on a bus are properly adjusted. u Use the mirrors to gauge the space around the bus and to back up. u Pass the wheelbase test.

4. 4 Handling Characteristics Every bus is different

5. 5 Some Differences u How they stop and start u Turning radius u How they back up u Mirror adjustments u How much tail swing u Placement of wheels

6. 6 Mirrors How to adjust your mirrors properly

7. 7 Why Proper Adjustment Matters u To see around the bus u To see what the rear axles is doing in a turn u To back up safely u To eliminate blind spots around the vehicle

8. 8 Backing the Bus How to back the bus when there are no other safe ways to move

9. 9 Using a Lookout u The lookout should warn you about obstacles, approaching persons and vehicles. u The lookout should not give you directions on how to back the bus.

10. 10 Turning Making left and right turns

11. 11 Turning Differences u 64-passenger conventional bus 35 feet long Wheel base of 21 1/3 feet Turning radius of about 58 feet u 78-passenger transit-style bus 37 feet long Wheel base of 18 feet Turning radius of about 36 feet

12. 12 The Perfect Right Turn u Entire bus clears curb at corner u Bus stays in its own lane of traffic as much as possible

13. 13 The Perfect Left Turn u Bus stays in its own lane of traffic as much as possible