Having a school bus fleet is a ton of responsibility. These vehicles have a long and varied history, much of which involves drivers keeping their kids safe and fleet managers keeping their drivers safe. You need to have everything in order before you let the buses on your fleet loose in the streets. So, what safety procedures do you need to implement to keep everyone safe and secure? We’ll dive into some of the most important school bus safety tips you should know below.
Have Them Inspect the Bus
You must make sure your bus drivers inspect the bus properly before use. Check the tires to make sure they don’t show signs of damage. Check the brakes, windows, and mirrors, as well as the windshield, to ensure everything is clear. Finally, make sure the bus’s interior is clear and that no debris could get in the way of your passengers sitting in the aisle. It’s your driver’s job to inspect their bus every day and prepare the vehicle for its passengers.
Teach the Children
Make sure your driver’s passengers understand the guidelines of the bus ride on the first day of school. They shouldn’t stand up in their seats or stick their head or hands out of the windows. Ensure they know that the bus must come to a complete stop before they get off or board. Additionally, you must inform them that it is dangerous to walk behind the bus or in their bus’s blind spots. Finally, tell them to hold onto the handrail when entering or exiting the bus and be careful of any straps from their bookbags or drawstrings that may catch in the door.
One of the most important school bus safety tips we can give is to educate and empower the students to make safe choices before, during, and after their bus rides.
Involve the Parents
Although you’ve trained your staff and warned your students to avoid any accidents, they might still happen. Kids are unpredictable, and a driver can only do so much to manage both driving and the behavior of their passengers. It might be wise to have the parents sign a liability waiver that indicates that your drivers aren’t liable for any accidents that occur due to broken rules. Liability is a nuanced issue, but a liability waiver couldn’t hurt.
Overall, there are many ways you can cover your driver and school in case of an emergency. These tips will help you effectively navigate these issues and keep everyone safe.
