Loading and Unloading Students Safely
The loading zone
The most dangerous moments of a school bus run are loading and unloading. Position the bus so students do not have to cross the roadway if an alternative exists; if they must cross, they cross only in front of the bus, far enough ahead to be seen by the driver, and only on the driver's signal. Activate the amber warning lights before the stop, then the red lights and stop arm when stopped. Set the parking brake, place the transmission in neutral (or park), and open the door only when it is safe.
Counting and control
Use a student count before and after each stop so no child is left behind or left at the stop. Students should be visible to the driver at all times. The driver signals when it is safe to cross, and students wait for that signal. At the end of unloading, the driver confirms the crossing is complete before retracting the stop arm and releasing the brake.
Traps to expect
Questions often test the order of operations: lights before the stop, brake before the door, count before moving. Another trap is the claim that students may cross behind the bus, or that a driver may proceed once the last student steps off without confirming the crossing. Also watch for items on loading at school sites where an adult flagger or crossing guard is present, and on the rule that a driver should never allow a student to retrieve an item from under the bus.
Rule of thumb
Red lights, stop arm, brake set, count taken, signal given - then move.