Page 87 - Georgia Commercial Drivers Manual 2020
P. 87
10SECTION : SCHOOL BUSES
• As you slow down, monitor your bus and back 10.7.2 – Driving in High Winds DRIVE YOUR
off the brakes (if it is safe to do so) to stay in Strong winds affect the handling of the school FUTURE
control.
bus! The side of a school bus acts like a sail on a FORWARD.
10.6.4 – Braking if ABS is Not Working sailboat. Strong winds can push the school bus
Without ABS, you still have normal brake sideways. They can even move the school bus Don’t put the brakes
off the road or, in extreme conditions, tip it over. on a promising career!
functions. Drive and brake as you always have.
Vehicles with ABS have yellow malfunction If you are caught in strong winds: GDA offers ONLINE Classroom Courses
• Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel. Try for Class A & B Programs!
lamps to tell you if something is not working. Save time and work at your own pace!
The yellow ABS malfunction lamp is on the bus’s to anticipate gusts. (if eligible)
instrument panel. • You should slow down to lessen the effect of
Conyers, GA (770) 918-8501 #1019
As a system check on newer vehicles, the the wind, or pull off the roadway and wait. Columbus, GA (706) 507-4429 #1020
malfunction lamp comes on at start-up for a • Contact your dispatcher to get more informa-
bulb check and then goes out quickly. On older VisVit oisuritweobusitre wat wewbws.gitdea.e:du
systems, the lamp could stay on until you are tion on how to proceed. www.gda.edu
driving over five mph.
10.7.3 – Backing • If you must back-up at a student drop-off
If the lamp stays on after the bulb check, or Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged. point, be sure to unload students after backing.
goes on once you are under way, you may have
lost ABS control at one or more wheels. You should back your bus only when you have 10.7.4 – Tail Swing
no other safe way to move the vehicle. You should A school bus can have up to a three-foot tail
Remember, if your ABS malfunctions, you still never back a school bus when students are outside
have regular brakes. Drive normally, but get the of the bus. Backing is dangerous and increases swing. You need to check your mirrors before
system serviced soon. your risk of a collision. If you have no choice and and during any turning movements to monitor
you must back your bus, follow these procedures: the tail swing.
10.6.5 – Safety Reminders • Post a lookout. The purpose of the lookout is
• ABS won’t allow you to drive faster, follow
to warn you about obstacles, approaching per-
more closely, or drive less carefully. sons, and other vehicles. The lookout should
• ABS won’t prevent power or turning skids– not give directions on how to back the bus.
• Signal for quiet on the bus.
ABS should prevent brake-induced skids but • Constantly check all mirrors and rear windows.
not those caused by spinning the drive wheels • Back slowly and smoothly.
or going too fast in a turn. • If no lookout is available:
• ABS won’t necessarily shorten stopping dis- »» Set the parking brake.
tance. ABS will help maintain vehicle control, »» Turn off the motor and take the keys with
but not always shorten stopping distance.
• ABS won’t increase or decrease ultimate stop- you.
ping power–ABS is an “add-on” to your nor- »» Walk to the rear of the bus to determine
mal brakes, not a replacement for them.
• ABS won’t change the way you normally whether the way is clear.
brake. Under normal brake conditions, your • If you must back-up at a student pick-up point,
vehicle will stop as it always stopped. ABS
only comes into play when a wheel would nor- be sure to pick up students before backing and
mally have locked up because of over braking. watch for late comers at all times.
• ABS won’t compensate for bad brakes or poor • Be sure that all students are in the bus before
brake maintenance. backing.
• Remember: The best vehicle safety feature is
still a safe driver. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
• Remember: Drive so you never need to use
your ABS. Section 10
• Remember: If you need it, ABS could help to
prevent a serious crash. • Define the danger zone. How far does the • What position should students be in
danger zone extend around the bus? front of the bus before they cross the
10.7 – Special Safety roadway?
Considerations • What should you be able to see if
the outside flat mirrors are adjusted • Under what conditions must you
10.7.1 – Strobe Lights properly? The outside convex mirrors? evacuate the bus?
Some school buses are equipped with roof- The crossover mirrors?
• How far from the nearest rail should you
mounted, white strobe lights. If your bus is so • You are loading students along the route. stop at a highway-rail crossing?
equipped, the overhead strobe light should be When should you activate your alternating
used when you have limited visibility. This flashing amber warning lights? • What is a passive highway-rail crossing?
means that you cannot easily see around you – Why should you be extra cautious at this
in front, behind, or beside the school bus. Your • You are unloading students along your type of crossing?
visibility could be only slightly limited or it could route. Where should students walk to
be so bad that you can see nothing at all. In all after exiting the bus? • How should you use your brakes if your
instances, understand and obey your state or lo- vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes
cal regulations concerning the use of these lights. • After unloading at school, why should you (ABS)?
walk through the bus?
These questions may be on your test. If you can’t answer them all, re-read Section 10.
85
