10.2 Loading and Unloading

More students are killed while getting on or off a school bus each year than are killed as passengers inside of a school bus. As a result, knowing what to do before, during, and after loading or unloading students is critical. This section will give you specific procedures to help you avoid unsafe conditions which could result in injuries and fatalities during and after loading and unloading students.

The information in this section is intended to provide a broad overview, but is not a definitive set of actions. It is imperative that you learn and obey the state laws and regulations governing loading and / or unloading operations in your state.

10.2.1 Approaching the Stop

Each school district establishes official routes and official school bus stops. All stops should be approved by the school district prior to making the stop. You should never change the location of a bus stop without written approval from the appropriate school district official.

You must use extreme caution when approaching a school bus stop. You are in a very demanding situation when entering these areas. It is critical that you understand and follow all state and local laws and regulations regarding approaching a school bus stop. This would involve the proper use of mirrors, alternating flashing lights, and when equipped, the moveable stop signal arm and crossing control arm.

When approaching the stop, you should:

  • Approach cautiously at a slow rate of speed.
  • Look for pedestrians, traffic, or other objects before, during, and after coming to a stop.
  • Continuously check all mirrors.
  • If the school bus is so equipped, activate al­ternating flashing amber warning lights at least 200 feet or approximately 5-10 seconds before the school bus stop or in accordance with state law.
  • Tum on right tum signal indicator about 100 to 300 feet or approximately 3-5 seconds before pulling over.
  • Continuously check mirrors to monitor the danger zones for students, traffic, and other objects.
  • Move as far as possible to the right on the traveled portion of the roadway.
  • When stopping you should:
  • Bring school bus to a full stop with the front bumper at least 10 feet away from students at the designated stop. This forces the students to walk to the bus so you have a better view of their movements.
  • Place transmission in Park, or if there is no Park shift point, in Neutral and set the parking brake at each stop.
  • Activate alternating red lights when traffic is a safe distance from the school bus and ensure the safety arm and stop sign is extended.
  • Make a final check to see that all traffic has stopped before completely opening the door and signaling students to approach.

10.2.2 Loading Procedures

  • Perform a safe stop as described in subsection 10.2.l.
  • Students should wait in a designated location for the school bus, facing the bus as it approaches.
  • Students should board the bus only when signaled by the driver.
  • Monitor all mirrors continuously.
  • Count the number of students at the bus stop and be sure all board the bus. If possible, know names of students at each stop. If there is a student missing, ask the other students where the student is.
  • Have the students board the school bus slowly, in single file, and use the handrail. The dome light should be on while loading in the dark.
  • Wait until students are seated and facing forward before moving the bus.
  • Check all mirrors. Make certain no one is running to catch the bus.
  • If you cannot account for a student outside, secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus.
  • When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
    • Closing the door.
    • Engaging the transmission.
    • Releasing the parking brake.
    • Turning off alternating flashing red lights.
    • Turning on left tum signal.
    • Checking all mirrors again.
    • Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
  • When it is safe, move the bus to enter traffic flow and continue the route.

The loading procedure is essentially the same wherever you load students, but there are slight differences. When students are loading at the school campus, you should:

  • Tum off the ignition switch.
  • Remove key if leaving driver's compartment.
  • Position yourself to supervise loading as required or recommended by your state or local regulations.

10.2.3 Unloading Procedures on the Route

  • Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in subsection 10.2.1.
  • Have the students remain seated until told to exit.
  • Check all mirrors.
  • Count the number of students while unload­ing to confirm the location of all students before pulling away from the stop.
  • Tell students to exit the bus and walk at least 10 feet away from the side of the bus to a position where the driver can plainly see all students.
  • Check all mirrors again. Make sure no students are around or returning to the bus.
  • If you cannot account for a student outside the bus, secure the bus, and check around and underneath the bus.
  • When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
    • Closing the door.
    • Engaging transmission.
    • Releasing parking brake.
    • Turning off alternating flashing red lights.
    • Turning on left turn signal.
    • Checking all mirrors again.
    • Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
  • When it is safe, move the bus, enter the traffic flow and continue the route.

NOTE: If you have missed a student's unload­ing stop, do not back up. Be sure to follow local procedures.

Additional Procedures for Students That Must Cross the Roadway

You should under­stand what students should do when exiting a school bus and crossing the street in front of the bus. In addition, the school bus driver should understand that students might not always do what they are supposed to do. If a student or students must cross the roadway, they should follow these procedures:

  • Walk approximately 10 feet away from the side of the school bus to a position where you can see them.
  • Walk to a location at least 10 feet in front of the right corner of the bumper, but still remaining away from the front of the school bus.
  • Stop at the right edge of the roadway. You should be able to see the student's feet.
  • When students reach the edge of the roadway, they should:
  • Stop and look in all directions, making sure the roadway is clear and is safe.
  • Check to see if the red flashing lights on the bus are still flashing.
  • Wait for your signal before crossing the roadway. Upon your signal, the students should:
  • Cross far enough in front of the school bus to be in your view.
  • Stop at the left edge of the school bus, stop, and look again for your signal to continue to cross the roadway.
  • Look for traffic in both directions, making sure roadway is clear.
  • Proceed across the roadway, continuing to look in all directions.

NOTE: The school bus driver should enforce any state or local regulations or recommenda­tions concerning student actions outside the school bus.

10.2.4 Unloading Procedures at School

State and local laws and regulations regarding unloading students at schools, particularly in situations where such activities take place in the school parking lot or other location that is off the traveled roadway, are often different than unloading along the school bus route. It is important that the school bus driver understands and obeys state and local laws and regulations. The following procedures are meant to be general guidelines.

When unloading at the school you should follow these procedures:

  • Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in subsection 10.2.1.
  • Secure the bus by:
    • Turning off the ignition switch.
    • Removing key if leaving driver's compartment.
  • Have the students remain seated until told to exit.
  • Position yourself to supervise unloading as required or recommended by your state or local regulations.
  • Have students exit in orderly fashion.
  • Observe students as they step from bus to see that all move promptly away from the unloading area.
  • Walk through the bus and check for hiding and / or sleeping students and items left by students.
  • Check all mirrors. Make certain no students are returning to the bus.
  • If you cannot account for a student outside the bus and the bus is secure, check around and underneath the bus.
  • When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
    • Closing the door.
    • Fastening safety belt.
    • Starting engine.
    • Engaging the transmission.
    • Releasing the parking brake.
    • Turning off alternating flashing red lights.
    • Turning on left turn signal.
    • Checking all mirrors again.
    • Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
  • When it is safe, pull away from the unload ing area.

10.2.5 Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading

Dropped or Forgotten Objects

Always focus on students as they approach the bus and watch for any who disappear from sight.

Students may drop an object near the bus dur­ing loading and unloading. Stopping to pick up the object, or returning to pick up the object may cause the student to disappear from the driver's sight at a very dangerous moment.

Students should be told to leave any dropped object and move to a point of safety out of the danger zones and attempt to get the driver's at­tention to retrieve the object.

Handrail Hang-ups

Students have been injured or killed when clothing, accessories, or even parts of their body get caught in the handrail or door as they exited the bus. You should closely observe all students exiting the bus to confirm that they are in a safe location prior to moving the bus.

10.2.6 Post-trip Inspection

When your route or school activity trip is finished, you should conduct a post-trip inspection of the bus.

You should walk through the bus and around the bus looking for the following:

  • Articles left on the bus.
  • Sleeping students.
  • Open windows and doors.
  • Mechanical and / or operational problems with the bus, with special attention to items that are unique to school buses-mirror systems, flashing warning lamps and stop signal arms.
  • Damage or vandalism.

Any problems or special situations should be reported immediately to your supervisor or school authorities.