File: EDC-R

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

The responsibility as a school bus operator is of at importance in the public school system of Louisiana. Bus operators must practice utmost caution in transporting children to and from school.

With this in mind, the School Board has approved these safety practices for bus operators to observe:
1. Check the condition of the bus, including brakes, steering gear, lights, and tires before starting out.
2. Carefully observe all signs, signals, rules of the road, and courtesy due others. Drive on the right side of the road. Never stop on the left side of the road. When it is necessary to overtake a slow moving vehicle, be sure no third vehicle is drawing near from any direction. Never pass another vehicle on a curve or at the crest of a hill.
3. Never turn or swerve suddenly. Go slowly over bumps and rough places. Avoid jerky starting and sudden stopping, especially when some passengers are standing.
4. When carrying children, do not travel faster than 35 miles an hour on the best concrete
roads and more slowly on gravel or dirt roads or when required by crowded traffic.
Observe the definite limits for different parts of your route which the school authorities
have set forth.
5. Be sure that the door is closed at all times when the bus is in motion.
6. Never leave the bus while the motor is running.
7. Never operate with the clutch disengaged, except when coming to a stop.
8. Never run backwards on the school grounds.
9. Never operate a school bus with a trailer attached.
10. Bring the bus to a stop on the right hand side of the road before taking on or letting off children. (Bulletin 1191 states that in discharging pupils from the bus who must cross the highway, the responsibility of safe crossing rests with the driver.)
11. Stop at railroad crossings, then if it is possible to see a sufficient distance up and down the tracks, proceed across; or, if on the other hand the nature of the crossing is such that
you cannot see far enough in one or both directions that will assure a safe crossing, a responsible student should get out, go to the tracks and observe. The bus driver will cross in accordance with Louisiana law (R.S. 32:173), AS ILLUSTRATED AND DETAILED BELOW:

Railroad Crossings. The bus driver is responsible for safe crossing at all railroad crossing. The bus driver must always come to a complete stop and look both ways to assure himself that the train is not approaching before he crosses. Use alternately flashing red lights at railroad crossings. A school bus driver must:
1. Always come to a complete stop, empty or loaded, before crossing any railroad track.
2. Stop not closer than 15 feet, but not farther than 50 feet, from the nearest rail.
3. Place gear shift in neutral position. Open the door, look and listen, then close the door.
4. Insist that all children be absolutely quiet when approaching and crossing all railroad tracks.
5. Shift to low gear and cross when it is determined that no train is coming.
6. Stay in low gear while crossing. Do not shift gears while crossing tracks.
7. Be sure you can see clearly both ways. If vision is not clear, do not cross until your vision is clear. You must be sure no train is approaching.
8. Extra precaution may be taken at multiple track crossing.
9. Transport only pupils, all others should have special permission.
10. Transport no animals such as dogs and cats with school children.
11. Permit no weapon or explosive of any kind on the bus.
12. In case of accident or breakdown while the bus is transporting children, do not
leave the bus to go to the telephone, but send two (2) responsible children to the nearest house to telephone.
13. Never use tobacco and/or liquor in the bus at any time while on duty.
14. Keep the bus in excellent repair.
15. Carry a set of flares, a set of two (2) flags, as well as a fire extinguisher approved by the school authorities. See that they are in working condition at all times.
16. Never permit children to enter or leave the bus from the rear door of the bus. This door is to be used by children only in case of emergency. The rear door should be kept closed from the inside at all times.
17. Never fill the gasoline tank while there are any children in the bus or while the motor is running.
18. Keep the bus clean, inside and outside. Buses should receive careful sweeping daily. Wipe the upholstery with a cloth dampened with a drop or two of liquid wax daily. All windows should be cleaned before departing on route.

Approved: 8/4/74
Revised: 9/16/87
Revised: 11/19/97