We have missed them during the summer, but the big yellow school buses are back on the roads! The role of PA school bus drivers is more than just transporting children to and from school. They also ensure the safety of all students as they get on and off the bus.
Around 25 million students across the US start and end their day with a trip on a school bus. School buses were designed for safety, with giant rearview mirrors, flashing lights, stop-sign arms, and a bright yellow color. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), students are 70% more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus instead of traveling by car.
Another essential element of ensuring the students’ safety while they’re on board is the school bus driver.
Unlike regular commuter bus drivers, school bus drivers navigate the roadways, supervise students, and monitor their behavior. When transporting students to and from school, these drivers may also transport students to school-related events, such as educational tours and inter-campus sports events.
As long as the students are on board, school bus drivers impose safety rules inside the vehicle. Drivers also feel responsible for teaching the children proper safety measures, such as where they should walk or how many steps they should take away from the bus as they get off the vehicle.
It’s only natural that school bus drivers are conscious of their actions. They follow traffic rules and regulations. It only means they want to ensure all passengers arrive at school safely and home safely.
Professional school bus drivers in Pennsylvania should consider these safety tips:
- When picking up or dropping off students, ensure that the kids are a few steps away from the bus before moving, especially if reversing.
- When picking up or dropping off students, stop for a while and keep the door closed until you’re sure that all the other vehicles come to a stop.
- Watch out for kids darting toward the bus when they’re late – they might not be aware of the traffic.
- Be wary of the kids in neighborhoods, especially if the area doesn’t have sidewalks or the streets aren’t lined with trees and bushes.
- School bus seats were designed to keep the passenger safe when seated. Ensure the kids are seated correctly, especially while the bus is moving.
- Make sure that the kids are not putting their heads, arms, or hands out of the window.
- Instruct kids to remain quiet, especially when driving through a railroad crossing, so the bus driver can hear the incoming train or train warnings.
- If the children accidentally leave something inside the bus, tell them not to rush back to the vehicle. If they do, they may run into the street and not be aware of the traffic. You can turn in any found objects to the school office.
- Ensure all children have safely crossed the street before retracting the stop-sign arm.
- Always put safety ahead of schedule requirements.
Read “School Bus Safety Tips Everyone Should Know” to learn more about safety tips for drivers, students, and other motorists.
The safety of the students is paramount to the success of the school bus driver and all state residents. Are you interested in becoming a PA school bus driver and becoming a fruitful part of the community? You may want to explore job opportunities at https://schoolbushero.com/jobs.