WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL BUS OPERATOR …

1 1 west VIRGINIA SCHOOL BUS OPERATORINSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM WE DRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE Classroom EditionRevised 2008 west VIRGINIA department OF EDUCATIONO ffice of SCHOOL TransportationDivision of Student Support Services2 west VIRGINIA SCHOOL BUS OPERATORINSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMR evision Committee2008 Ben ShewPhil HinkleMike WattsBob SummerfieldDaniel McKinneyWesley StoneJimmy LacyBrenda Taylor3 TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTION A INTRODUCTION TO SCHOOL BUS OPERATOR ROLE ANDPg. 5 RESPONSIBILITYSECTION B- INTRODUCTION OF SCHOOL BUS OPERATIONPg.

2 21 SECTION C- DRIVER FUNDAMENTALS- CONTROLLING THE POSITION OF THEPg. 41 BUSSECTION D- DRIVER FUNDAMENTALS- DETECTING HAZARDSPg. 102 SECTION E- DRIVER FUNDAMENTALS- EMERGENCY DRIVING TECHNIQUESPg. 121 SECTION F- ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIESPg. 129 SECTION G- PASSENGERCONTROLPg. 148 SECTION H- FIELD TRIPSPg. 178 SECTION I- TRANSPORTING EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTSPg. 1844 FOREWORDThe transportation of students to and from SCHOOL is a critical element of the educationalprocess in west VIRGINIA . More than eighty-five percent of west VIRGINIA 's students ridea SCHOOL bus each SCHOOL the person having the direct responsibility for transporting students requiresexcellent driving skills, good health and physical condition, an understanding of childpsychology and a dedication to the task that is, at times, above and beyond what isasked of the average SCHOOL primary objective of any SCHOOL transportation system is to transport all students toand from SCHOOL safely and efficiently.

3 To achieve this goal, SCHOOL bus operatortrainees must be thoroughly instructed in the fundamentals and techniques of operatingschool buses, and the requirements of various SCHOOL laws, state and county rules,policies and the completion of this training program, each SCHOOL bus OPERATOR must exhibit athorough knowledge of the content of this training program by successfullydemonstrating proficiency both by the passage of a written examination and a drivingskills examination. These elements, combined with a physical examination, drug andalcohol screening, criminal records screening, driving record screening and properlicensure, all combine to create a person who is properly equipped to be a SCHOOL revision of the training manual will enable west VIRGINIA 's SCHOOL busoperators to move into the twenty-first century as among the best trained and qualifiedschool bus operators in the nation.

4 This enablesour SCHOOL transportation system toremain the safest form of transportation available to anyone, Superintendent of Schools5 SECTIONAINTRODUCTION TOSCHOOL BUS OPERATOR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITYTABLE OF CONTENTSOBJECTIVESOVERVIEWYOUR RESPONSIBILITYYOUR VEHICLESTATE/COUNTY STANDARDS FOR OPERATOR SELECTIONREPORT FORMSOBJECTIVESBy the end of this unit, the students should be able to:1. Describe the responsibilities of members of the pupil transportation WV Code of Conduct- Policy 59022. Describe the requirements for selection of SCHOOL bus Identify how emotional and physical characteristics affect the OPERATOR 's Identify proper reporting and recording :Before you get behind the wheel of a SCHOOL bus, there is a great deal you needto know about yourself, your responsibilities and those with whom you transportation of passengers to and from SCHOOL is a necessary part of aneducational program.

5 Competent SCHOOL bus operators and standard operation ofbuses must be realized if a safe, efficient, and economical transportation program is tobe to drive a vehicle the size of a SCHOOL bus is a difficult task, involvingknowledge of related information, visual skills, judgments, decisions and accurateresponses. The way in which you learn to perform this sort of task will have a6marked effecton your on-the-job performance. You must learn to recognize hazards,understand defenses, and take prompt evasive YOU ARE IMPORTANTIt is evident that YOU, the SCHOOL bus OPERATOR , are avery important person witha responsible part to play in our educational system.

6 Your basic function is to providetransportation for passengers to and from SCHOOL and as needed to complement theinstructional program. It is important that this be done safely and efficiently. SCHOOL bussafety involves much more than merely running a shuttle service. Efficient busoperation prevents accidents. If passenger transportation is to be efficient, it must most instances, you will be the first representative of the SCHOOL system tomeet the children inthe morning and the last to see them at night.

7 While the childrenare on the bus, their safety is in your hands. Passengers you transport will be as safeas you intend them to be. You can successfully accomplish this assignment and berespected and appreciated as a person who is performing a difficult and necessaryservice. You are in a position to have a large influence on a child's attitude ARE A MEMBER OF THE "SAFETY TEAM."Perhaps in no other area of education does a localboard of education or schooladministrative staff, accept more responsibility for student life and welfarethan during the mass movement of children in SCHOOL transportation vehicles on thepublic highways, streets and roads of our state.

8 It is absolutelyessential thatyou provide adequate equipment and constantly strive to improve operational safetyand accidents result from errors in sightjudgmentand action on thepart of the vehicle OPERATOR . You, as a member of the "safety team",are responsible tomake every trip a safe RESPONSIBILITY:A professional SCHOOL bus OPERATOR must accept responsibility. When you drive abus load of children to SCHOOL every day in all kinds of hazardous highway and weatherconditions, you are charged with a grave responsibility.

9 Just like a ship's captain or an airlinepilot, precious human lives depend upon your experience, skill,judgmentand vital link to safety, proper driver attitude, knowledge and skill is not just acquired,but must be developed through your interest in safe driving. Not only withintensive pre-employment training, but with continuing education activities, do you upgrade your ability tocope with the constantly changing driving environment. You must beconstantly re-evaluating your driving and maintaining safe driving habits requires consistent practice andperiodic refresher courses.

10 No one knows "the real you" as well as you do. Therefore,it is important that you honestly evaluate yourself to be sure that you are physically andmentally prepared for driving your must be sufficiently rested to be free from must be free from adverse effects of drugs, medication or personal appearance, grooming and language must be acceptablewithin your must exhibit the mature mental adjustment and emotional stabilityneeded to cope with the unexpected, as well as, unusual must have an interest in the welfareand needs must be willing to display patience and EMPLOYER:Your employer provides your salary, benefits, a safe working environment(equipment) and establishes qualifications, policies, procedures and regulations for youto follow.