School Bus Driver Safety Tips

School buses are considered the safest form of ground transportation because of their size and construction. They are driven by professional drivers who have a genuine concern for the well-being and safety of the children.

Everyone needs to take the minimum school bus driver training requirements seriously. It is critical that we guarantee all school bus drivers are cautious, accountable and most of all - competent!

• Always do a pre-trip inspection prior to every run to check for mechanical defects that could jeopardize safety.
• Be reliable and dependable - Your students count on you every day!
• Establish a positive relationship with your students. You are the first authority figure they encounter, and you set the tone for the day.
• Pennsylvania law prohibits children from standing on the bus while the bus is in motion.
• Check to make sure all of the children unloading from the bus are at a place of safety before deactivating your 8 - way light system and moving the school bus.
• Do not allow children to exit the bus before all traffic has come to a complete stop and the safety equipment has been engaged.
• After unloading all children at the school or after your last stop, make sure to do a post-trip of your bus and check to make sure that no child has been left on the bus.
• Pennsylvania law prohibits any items including students from barricading the aisles and the emergency exit.
• Be prepared to act appropriately in emergency and crash situations. Your actions could mean the difference between life and death.
• Be sure to provide adequate instruction so that every student is familiar with school bus emergency procedures and equipment use, as well as the safe loading and unloading procedures.
• Always follow the "Five Alive" Operation Life Saver steps when approaching a railroad track. For more information, please visit the Operation Life Saver website.