School bus safety rules provide critical guidance to improve the safety of riders. Sufficient bus driver training, regular bus maintenance, and following NHTSA guidelines and state laws are just some ways bus companies, school districts, and drivers can improve safety.
If an unsafe condition caused your child to be injured in a bus accident, speaking to a New York City school bus accident lawyer can help. Your attorney can explore the causes of the crash and determine if a safety violation contributed to the accident and your child’s injuries.
Proper maintenance is essential to accident prevention. Bus companies and drivers will want to ensure that the bus is mechanically sound. Additionally, all safety equipment should be in working order. This includes the red flashing lights, yellow flashing lights, and stop-sign arms that warn other drivers that the bus is stopping and riders will be exiting or entering the school bus.
Advances in technology mean that many school buses are now equipped, or capable of being equipped, with advanced safety equipment. Seatbelts, handrails, routing software, and flashing lights help to reduce the severity of accidents or risk of an accident occurring. Health supplies, CCTV, multiple mirrors, and fire extinguishers are also essential safety equipment for school buses.
On the exterior of the bus, safety technology is also essential. Crossing arms on the front of buses help to ensure students are crossing far enough in front of the bus for the driver to see them. Stop-sign arms and flashing lights warn other drivers that the bus is stopping and a child will be entering and exiting.
Effective driver training is vital to school bus safety. Drivers need to not only follow school bus regulations and meet the requirements to legally drive a school bus, but also must understand how to maintain a safe bus environment. Bus driver communication with bus occupants and controlling student behavior is crucial.
Moreover, it is the driver’s responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and to drive safely for conditions. Bus drivers should also recognize when conditions are unsafe for children to be entering or exiting the bus and take appropriate action. Regular driver training and review of school bus safety tips for drivers can help to keep drivers trained and current on all rules and recommendations.
Students should be informed of all bus safety rules and school bus safety tips. Emergency preparedness is critical, especially in the event of an accident. Practicing emergency drills and identifying the ways to exit the bus in case of an emergency is important. Moreso, setting expectations for student behavior on buses and providing clear rules and guidance can help to prevent unruly behavior that may cause injury or even accidents.
Drivers will want to establish bus boarding procedures and bus exiting procedures. This can include the order in which children will enter, seating by the age and maturity of the child, and driver visibility. Bus driver communication about how children should exit the bus and how to safely cross in front of the bus is also critical.
Additionally, driver awareness of arrival and dismissal times can help them to effectively plan their route and eliminate the need to rush, which can lead to preventable accidents. Similarly, parents and teachers should understand safe boarding and exiting procedures and the driver’s expectations for students. This can ensure that all parties are on the same page, reducing the risk of accidents.
School districts and bus companies should identify safe bus stop locations and safe routes. Limiting the number of times children need to cross the street or buses stopping on busy roads are some ways to prevent injury accidents. Visibility, proximity to intersections, and locations that are central to the highest number of students are other considerations.
The best locations for bus stops are:
While children are entering and exiting the bus, the bus driver will also want to utilize stop-sign arms, flashing lights, and the crossing arm.
Every day, parents entrust their children’s safety to school bus drivers. School bus safety is crucial to ensuring the well-being of the children riding the bus and others sharing the roadways. When bus accidents happen, the results can be tragic.
If your child has been injured in a bus crash, taking quick action is essential. a personal injury lawyer at Gregory Spektor & Associates, P.C. can provide you with critical support for your school bus accident claim. Contact us today at 1 (800) 318-8888 now for a free consultation.
