School Bus Safety Program
NEPN/NSBA CODE: EEAE
School buses are operated for the general convenience of the children or the citizens of our community. It is essential that they be operated within the statutes covering such vehicle. At all times they shall be operated with extreme care.
The following local policies governing the operation of the school bus shall be adhered to:
1. No passenger should be allowed to occupy any position that would interfere with the vision of the operator to the front, sides or rear. Every passenger must be seated at all times when the bus is in motion.
2. The fuel tank should never be filled when there are passengers in the bus.
3. The school bus operator should not leave the school bus without first stopping the bus, setting the brakes, putting the transmission in its lowest gear, turning off engine and removing key. The school bus operator should never leave the school bus as long as there are passengers in the bus (except in extreme emergency).
4. All doors must be closed at all times when the school bus is in motion.
5. No material shall be allowed in the aisles or stepwell at any time.
6. The bus shall be properly heated when necessary and well ventilated at all times, thus aiding the defrosting procedure to give clear and unobstructed vision in all directions.
7. No school bus shall be loaded beyond its capacity.
8. Passengers should not be received or discharged on a steep grade or at any point where vision is limited.
9. No passenger shall get on or off the school bus while it is in motion. Passengers in the bus must always remain in their seats until the bus comes to a complete stop.
10. The operator shall turn on the school bus warning lights at least 100 feet before coming to a stop to take on or discharge students; the warning lights should not be used at any other time.
11. The school bus operator should not open the door of the school bus to discharge passengers until he/she observes that the road is clear or that no danger exists.
12. The operator should see that each passenger who must cross the highway does not do so until he/she has given the signal to cross.
13. Passengers crossing the highway should pass in front of the bus at least 10 feet ahead of it. Care should be taken to make sure that these passengers do not step out on the road beyond a point protected by the bus until the school bus operator gives the signal for them to cross the highway. He/she shall leave the school bus warning lights flashing until all passengers are clear of the highway.
14. The school bus operator should carefully observe the number of passengers getting on the bus and account for all passengers before proceeding.
15. The school bus operator should not back the school bus on school grounds or at loading or unloading stops without proper guidance and signals from another responsible adult outside the bus.
16. The school bus operator should not permit passengers at any time to extend arms or head out the windows of the school bus.
17. Every school bus operator shall bring his/her school bus to a full stop not less than 10 feet nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail or any railroad crossing. After carefully looking in both directions and listening, proceed only if it is safe beyond any possible doubt. If safe to proceed, start bus in low gear and do not shift gears until bus has fully cleared all tracks.
18. Animals, firearms, explosives or anything of a dangerous nature are not permitted on school buses.
19. The school bus operator shall not permit any other person to occupy his/her seat, operate the school bus or tamper with any of its controls.
20. The school bus operator shall transport only those passengers designated by the school authorities. The practice of transporting preschool children who are not in the act of being delivered or picked up as a part of a school-sponsored program is prohibited.
21. If school buses are traveling the highways for purposes other than transporting school passengers, the words “SCHOOL BUS” shall be covered so that motorists will not be confused or stopped unnecessarily.
Adopted: Prior to 1982
Revised: June 8, 1992; March 12, 2018