National School Bus Safety Rules
Teachersandfamilies.com reports that during the school year 400,000 school buses transport more than 22 million children to and from school. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that between 1996 and 2006, there was an average of 140 deaths annually connected with school transportation related accidents. This article examiness shool bus safety.
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State Guidelines
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the "Guideline for the Safe Transportation of Pre-school Age Children in School Buses" in 1999. The guideline says that preschool-age students should be transported in a bus with secured safety restraint systems. Each state is responsible for designing and enforcing school bus regulations. Requirements for busing may differ from state to state. Each state is responsible for making sure that all school buses operate for maximum safety and effectiveness.
Identification and Equipment
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The American School Bus Council endorses that school buses need to be easily identifiable. Buses should be painted yellow and contain the words "school bus" in large writing on the front and back of the vehicle. Vehicles should also contain a stop signal arm that uses flashing red lights, be equipped with red signal lamps that alert drivers that the bus is stopping to receive or drop off students. A school bus should also contain other safety features including mirrors that allow drivers to see to the back of both sides of the bus and in front of the vehicle, numerous emergency exits and a fire extinguisher.
Vehicle Maintenance
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A school bus should meet various maintenance requirements, according to the American School Bus Council. Drivers should conduct a safety inspection of vehicles before and after transporting students. Any mechanical problems should be reported to maintenance personnel. Vehicles should be inspected at least once a year in compliance with state-approved inspection programs. Buses should also comply or exceed federal and state school bus construction criteria.
Driver Training
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The American School Bus Council says that before being hired, a driver should have his driving records checked. A background check on the driver is recommended also by the council. Drivers should pass classroom and on-the-road testing.
General Safety for Drivers
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When driving in a school zone, pay close attention. Drive slowly. Keep a look out for children in the street, particularly if no sidewalks exist. Be vigilant. Kids may run into the street without paying attention to oncoming cars. Heed bus laws. If yellow lights are flashing that means the bus is getting ready to let students off and be ready to stop. When red lights are flashing and the stop sign arm comes out, that indicates that children are boarding or getting off. Drivers are required to stop and wait for the red lights to cease flashing and the stop sign to be brought back in the bus before starting up again.
Safety for Students
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Make sure you get to your bus stop with plenty of time to spare. Heed all traffic lights and signals. When possible, walk with someone else and walk facing oncoming traffic. When crossing streets, make sure to cross where it safest--at crosswalks and intersections. Make sure the coast is clear before crossing the street.Stay away from the street. Do not engage in monkey business when boarding the bus and hold on to the handrail. Listen to the bus driver and look for the driver's signal to make sure it is clear to cross. Make sure to cross in front of the bus and with plenty of room to spare.
School Bus Safety Week
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Sponsored by the U.S. National Association for Pupil Transportation, School Bus Safety Week is conducted annually the third week in October. School Bus Safety Week is a program that reviews school bus safety procedures. School Bus Safety Week originated in the 1960s and is commemorated by more than 40 states, School Bus Safety Week also acknowledges transportation staff that provide safe trips daily for students. The U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 endorsed School Bus Safety Week with a resolution of support.
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