Page 79 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

SECTION 10 : SCHOOL BUSES

10.2.3 – Unloading Procedures • Look for traffic in both directions, making the object, or returning to pick up the object may
on the Route sure roadway is clear. cause the student to disappear from the driver’s
sight at a very dangerous moment.
• Perform a safe stop at designated unloading • Proceed across the roadway, continuing to
areas as described in subsection 10.2.1. look in all directions. Students should be told to leave any dropped
object and move to a point of safety out of the
• Have the students remain seated until told NOTE: The school bus driver should enforce danger zones and attempt to get the driver’s at-
to exit. any state or local regulations or recommenda- tention to retrieve the object.
tions concerning student actions outside the
• Check all mirrors. Handrail Hang-ups. Students have been

school bus. injured or killed when clothing, accessories,
• Count the number of students while unload- or even parts of their body get caught in the

ing to confirm the location of all students be- 10.2.4 – Unloading Procedures handrail or door as they exited the bus. You
fore pulling away from the stop. at School
should closely observe all students exiting the
• Tell students to exit the bus and walk at least 10 State and local laws and regulations regarding bus to confirm that they are in a safe location
feet away from the side of the bus to a position unloading students at schools, particularly in prior to moving the bus.
where the driver can plainly see all students. situations where such activities take place in the
school parking lot or other location that is off the 10.2.6 – Post-trip Inspection
• Check all mirrors again. Make sure no stu- traveled roadway, are often different than unload-
dents are around or returning to the bus. When your route or school activity trip is fin-
ing along the school bus route. It is important that
• If you cannot account for a student outside the the school bus driver understands and obeys state ished, you should conduct a post-trip inspection
bus, secure the bus, and check around and and local laws and regulations. The following of the bus.
underneath the bus. procedures are meant to be general guidelines. You should walk through the bus and around
When unloading at the school you should the bus looking for the following:
• When all students are accounted for, prepare follow these procedures: • Articles left on the bus.
to leave by:

» Closing the door. • Perform a safe stop at designated unloading • Sleeping students.
» Engaging transmission. areas as described in subsection 10.2.1. • Open windows and doors.
» Releasing parking brake. • Secure the bus by:
» Turning off alternating flashing red lights. » Turning off the ignition switch. • Mechanical/operational problems with the
» Turning on left turn signal. » Removing key if leaving driver’s compart- bus, with special attention to items that are
» Checking all mirrors again. ment. unique to school buses – mirror systems, flash-
» Allowing congested traffic to disperse. ing warning lamps and stop signal arms.
• Have the students remain seated until told
• When it is safe, move the bus, enter the traffic • Damage or vandalism.
flow and continue the route. to exit.
• Position yourself to supervise unloading as Any problems or special situations should
NOTE: If you have missed a student’s unload- required or recommended by your state or be reported immediately to your supervisor or
ing stop, do not back up. Be sure to follow local local regulations. school authorities.
procedures.
• Have students exit in orderly fashion.
Additional Procedures for Students That 10.3 – Emergency Exit

Must Cross the Roadway. You should under- • Observe students as they step from bus to and Evacuation
stand what students should do when exiting a see that all move promptly away from the
school bus and crossing the street in front of the unloading area. An emergency situation can happen to any-
bus. In addition, the school bus driver should one, anytime, anywhere. It could be a crash, a
understand that students might not always do • Walk through the bus and check for hiding/ stalled school bus on a railroad-highway crossing
what they are supposed to do. If a student or sleeping students and items left by students. or in a high-speed intersection, an electrical fire
students must cross the roadway, they should • Check all mirrors. Make certain no students in the engine compartment, a medical emergency
follow these procedures: are returning to the bus. to a student on the school bus, etc. Knowing what
to do in an emergency–before, during and after
• Walk approximately 10 feet away from the • If you cannot account for a student outside the an evacuation–can mean the difference between
side of the school bus to a position where you bus and the bus is secure, check around and life and death.
can see them. underneath the bus.
• Walk to a location at least 10 feet in front of the • When all students are accounted for, prepare 10.3.1 – Planning for Emergencies
right corner of the bumper, but still remaining to leave by:
away from the front of the school bus. » Closing the door. Determine Need to Evacuate Bus. The first
» Fastening safety belt. and most important consideration is for you to
• Stop at the right edge of the roadway. You » Starting engine. recognize the hazard. If time permits, school
should be able to see the student’s feet. bus drivers should contact their dispatcher to
» Engaging the transmission.
When students reach the edge of the roadway, » Releasing the parking brake. explain the situation before making a decision
they should: » Turning off alternating flashing red lights. to evacuate the school bus.
» Turning on left turn signal. As a general rule, student safety and control is
• Stop and look in all directions, making sure » Checking all mirrors again. best maintained by keeping students on the bus
the roadway is clear and is safe. during an emergency and/or impending crisis
» Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
• Check to see if the red flashing lights on the situation, if so doing does not expose them to
bus are still flashing. • When it is safe, pull away from the unload- unnecessary risk or injury. Remember, the deci-
ing area. sion to evacuate the bus must be a timely one.
• Wait for your signal before crossing the roadway. A decision to evacuate should include consid-

10.2.5 – Special Dangers of eration of the following conditions:
Upon your signal, the students should:
Loading and Unloading
• Cross far enough in front of the school bus to Dropped r Forgotten Objects. Always focus • Is there a fire or danger of fire?
o

be in your view. • Is there a smell of raw or leaking fuel?
on students as they approach the bus and watch
• Stop at the left edge of the school bus, stop, for any who disappear from sight. • Is there a chance the bus could be hit by other
and look again for your signal to continue to Students may drop an object near the bus dur- vehicles?
cross the roadway. ing loading and unloading. Stopping to pick up
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