Driver Trainer Inservice1 AVOIDING BUS COLLISIONS

Driver Trainer Inservice2 MOST COMMON CAUSES OF BUS COLLISIONS Striking parked vehicles. Striking other objects. Intersection collisions. Sideswiping or improper lane changes. Backing into another vehicle or object. Rear-ending other vehicles. Failure to yield right-of-way.

Driver Trainer Inservice3 Striking Parked Vehicles Common Occurrences: On school property. On side-streets, while on route.

Driver Trainer Inservice4 Necessary Avoidance Skills Check your mirrors before you move the bus. Don’t move bus without checking for clearance. Avoid squeezing through tight areas. Report vehicles parked in bus loading zones. Follow your district’s reporting procedures.

Driver Trainer Inservice5 Striking Other Objects Common Occurrences: Over-hangs in apartment complexes and business lots. Basketball hoops in neighborhoods/schools. Mailboxes. Fences.

Driver Trainer Inservice6 Necessary Avoidance Skills Look ahead and identify hazards ahead of time. Leave adequate space between bus and over-hanging object.

Driver Trainer Inservice7 Intersection Collisions Common Occurrences: Controlled Intersections. Uncontrolled Intersections.

Driver Trainer Inservice8 Necessary Avoidance Skills Before proceeding through “green lights”, make extra traffic checks As you approach intersections, slow down, place your foot over the brake and be prepared to stop

Driver Trainer Inservice9 Sideswiping or Improper Lane Changes Common Occurrences Failing to square corners when negotiating right turns examples: shortcuts, need to use reference point turns Traveling down the center of a four- lane road

Driver Trainer Inservice10 Necessary Avoidance Skills Use reference points to make square right hand turns Double check your mirrors before making turns or changing lanes Use turn signals properly, 100 feet prior to making a turn or lane change

Driver Trainer Inservice11 Backing into a Vehicle or Object Common Occurrences On school property In the bus parking lot area Mail boxes Road signs

Driver Trainer Inservice12 Necessary Avoidance Skills Get out and look around the bus and make certain the area is clear Avoid backing whenever possible. It is always a last resort Follow district procedures

Driver Trainer Inservice13 Rear-Ending Other Vehicles Common Occurrences At controlled intersections In route

Driver Trainer Inservice14 Necessary Avoidance Skills Look ahead and predict traffic conditions Allow adequate space to stop Be aware of road conditions (rain, snow/ice, fog, etc.)

Driver Trainer Inservice15 Failure to Yield Right-of-Way Common Occurrences At controlled intersections (making free right turns) At uncontrolled intersections (vehicle to right goes first) Exiting driveways

Driver Trainer Inservice16 Necessary Avoidance Skills Check the intersection continuously for oncoming traffic. Before proceeding, allow the time and space you need Don’t trust the “turn signal” of approaching vehicles. Remain stopped until the other motorist slows and negotiates the turn

Driver Trainer Inservice17 “At Fault” School Bus Collisions Top Three Contributing Factors Inattention Rushing Failure to follow proper procedures

Driver Trainer Inservice18 Inattention Come Prepared for the Job Be mentally aware of your surroundings at all times Get enough rest/sleep Know the route. Look at your route book while the bus is stopped. Avoid looking at it while driving.

Driver Trainer Inservice19 Inattention Check your mirrors on a regular basis Be prepared for the unexpected If your thoughts start to wonder away from the road you need to refocus

Driver Trainer Inservice20 Student Management Issues Know your students. Understand the behaviors and what to expect from students with medical conditions or disabilities Assign seats when necessary to better manage students

Driver Trainer Inservice21 Student Management Issues Remind students of the rules and enforce them regularly and consistently. When the students are out of control, pull the bus off road and take appropriate action. Don’t try to solve uncontrollable disruptions while driving. Follow district procedures.

Driver Trainer Inservice22 Rushing Allow Adequate Time Do your pre-trip Review your route book Know about any last minute changes to the route Prepare yourself for driving both physically & emotionally

Driver Trainer Inservice23 Communication is important Report to Administration Report Changes inTraffic New Road Construction Projects When School Scheduling has changed Unavoidable Congestion

Driver Trainer Inservice24 How to Get Help Follow district procedures Report to school district administration or school

Driver Trainer Inservice25 Steps to eliminate contributing factors Know the rules of the road and review them regularly Know the district’s transportation policies Know the district’s student discipline procedures Failure to Follow Proper Procedures

Driver Trainer Inservice26 Steps to eliminate contributing factors When in doubt, ask administration for clarification Attend inservice programs and hone your skills Failure to Follow Proper Procedures

Driver Trainer Inservice27 SUMMARY Most Frequent: Striking parked vehicles or objects Intersection collisions Sideswiping or improper lane changes Backing into or rear ending another vehicle Failure to yield the right-of-way Contributing Factors: Inattention Rushing Failure to follow procedures

Driver Trainer Inservice28 EVALUATION 1.Name three (3) of the most frequent causes of school bus collision claims. 2.Name three contributing factors to at fault collisions.

Driver Trainer Inservice29 Answer #1 Striking parked vehicles Striking other objects Intersection collisions Sideswiping or improper lane changes Backing into other vehicle or object Rear ending other vehicle Failure to yield right-of-way

Driver Trainer Inservice30 Answer #2 Inattention Rushing Failure to follow proper procedures