Every day, millions of students across America board a bus to catch a ride both to and from school. Safe transportation of these students is essential for the well-being of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and school staff. School bus safety is a priority that is addressed by transportation departments across the country, but as laws and regulations change, it becomes even more important to stay on top of all the current safety guidelines. This article will explore some key ways in which schools can make sure student safety is a top priority when it comes to school bus transportation.
1. Designating Stops Safely
When planning a safe school bus route, each pickup and drop-off location should be clearly designated, with adequate space and visibility to ensure the safety of both students and drivers alike. The stops should be located on streets that are wide enough to accommodate the bus safely, and away from any dangerous or high-traffic areas. The stops must also follow state laws and industry regulations regarding stop distance from homes, which vary per state law.
Designating a safe stop also includes checking for any potential hazards nearby, such as a steep drop-off, a blind corner, or even a ditch which could create an emergency situation. Our newest trip management software EZDistrict can help with all things safety related, double checking for anything that may have been missed.
Unfortunately, potential hazards can also include people legally deemed dangerous to children, and it is important to e.sure that any stops along each route are double-checked for proximity to anyone who has been convicted of an offense against a minor. Checking for all potential hazards will keep students safe when going to and from their bus stops and waiting for buses to arrive.
2. Supervise Children at Bus Stops
When considering safety regulations at school bus stops, it is important to make sure that children are properly supervised at all stops and while boarding the bus. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult when waiting for their bus, as otherwise they could wander off into danger without proper supervision. Additionally, each student should have a designated spot on the bus where they can safely wait for their ride home. Parents and supervisors should also show up on time to ensure students don’t miss their buses in the morning due to late arrivals.
3. Monitoring Traffic Conditions
School Transportation Directors should regularly monitor traffic conditions along their routes in order to anticipate potential delays or hazards. Traffic conditions can change regularly, depending on the traffic volume, road construction or repairs, inclement weather, and other unforeseen issues. These changes can create safety issues for students that must be addressed in a timely manner.
In addition to traffic-related hazards, monitoring traffic conditions also helps to ensure that school bus drivers are following traffic laws and staying within speed limits. As traffic conditions change, school bus drivers need to adjust accordingly in order to keep students safe and compliant with traffic regulations. Overall, monitoring traffic conditions is essential for ensuring the safety of students when riding their school buses. By staying aware of traffic changes, traffic violations can be avoided, and students can remain safe on the road.
4. Training Drivers
All bus drivers should receive training on proper road safety protocols, including emergency procedures and first aid basics. Training is essential to keep student safety as the top priority during each bus ride. Drivers should be trained on how to properly use emergency exits, fire extinguishers, first aid kits and other available tools should an emergency arise.
Training also helps equip drivers with vital skills in case of a crash or break-down along their routes. Knowing how to handle a situation in a quick and efficient manner can help prevent any further danger to students. Furthermore, training drivers on proper driving etiquette, such as defensive driving techniques, is important for avoiding potential accidents.
Overall, training is key to keeping students safe and sound on their school bus rides. By being prepared for all possible issues that could arise, school bus drivers can ensure that their students always arrive safely to and from school.
5. Maintenance Checks
Regular maintenance checks are necessary to ensure that all school buses are in good working condition and up to safety standards. Maintaining a regular maintenance and inspection schedule can prevent costly repairs down the road and help identify any potential safety hazards.
Regular maintenance checks should include testing of the brakes, headlights, signals, tires, and other mechanical components to ensure that they are all functioning properly. Additionally, it is important to check the bus for any hazardous materials or debris that could become a safety hazard while in transit.
By taking the time to conduct maintenance checks, transportation directors can ensure that school buses are safe and reliable for students. Properly equipped buses can help reduce stress on bus drivers, as avoiding breakdowns when possible is beneficial to all parties involved.
6. Communication
Communication between the transportation department, drivers, and parents is key in order to convey updates, relay last-minute changes, and to keep track of students who were and weren't picked up or dropped off. Any and all changes to bus stops and bus routes need to be communicated in order for parents to stay informed about their children’s whereabouts and to know where they will be picked up and dropped off from school.
Fortunately, trip management software, such as EZDistrict software, can help make communication easier and simpler by providing communication features for parents, drivers, and school staff. Notifications can be sent directly to parents when their child’s bus is late or if any changes occur in the route. This way, parents have peace of mind knowing their children are safe and accounted for while on their school bus rides. Drivers can be quickly notified of changes, like a new student on their route Lastly, school staff can be made aware of any delays as well, reducing the number of needed phone calls.
7. Ensuring Compliance
It is important for Transportation Directors to remain aware of any new laws or regulations that may affect school bus routing, and take steps to ensure compliance with them. Laws governing school bus routing and safety are constantly changing, and it is the responsibility of transportation directors to stay up to date with all relevant rules. For example, a new rule may be passed that requires buses to go at or below a certain speed limit within city limits; if this law is not followed, there could be serious consequences. As such, compliance with all laws must be a priority in order to ensure the safety of students while they are on their school buses.
8. Student Lists, Attendance, and Tracking
Clear and concise lists of which students ride which buses can often be an overlooked aspect of transportation safety. Each bus should be equipped with a printed list outlining which students ride that specific route. In the event of an accident, it is imperative that emergency personnel can quickly identify the students, so a list with photos is even more valuable.
Keeping track of student attendance can be an even more detailed approach. Whether it’s your drivers or aides that take student attendance, tracking this information will offer a much better idea of which students got on the bus for each trip, as well as how often they actually ride. Assistive technology can also better improve your student tracking, allowing districts to track which bus your students boarded, which stop they exited, and what time these events took place. This can catch mistakes before they become a potential problem.
In conclusion, safety should be the number one priority for school bus transportation. By investing in training for drivers, regularly conducting maintenance checks on buses, keeping lines of communication open with parents and students, and ensuring compliance with safety laws and regulations, school districts can ensure that their students are safe while being transported to and from school each day. With safety protocols in place, students can enjoy a safe and reliable school bus ride every day.
