Safely driving a school bus is no simple task. And safely driving a school bus in winter weather comes with even more challenges. As darker mornings set in and wintry conditions pick up, our school bus drivers, passengers, and others sharing the road should be aware of how visibility, vehicle performance, brake time, and even the weight of the school bus can be influenced by winter weather.

STEWARDS OF SAFETY
Each school day, Student Transportation of America’s driver workforce is responsible for the safety and well-being of more than 1.25 million children. With nearly 25 percent of vehicle crashes caused by adverse weather, we take a highly proactive approach to passenger safety by evaluating our fleet prior to the onset of wintry conditions to ensure we are prepared for the season ahead. This can include making sure:

• All tires have sufficient tread, and switching vehicles to winter snow tires or installing automatic snow chains, where needed
• All vehicle batteries are tested and hold a strong charging capacity
• Heater and defroster units are working properly
• New windshield wipers are installed, and washer fluid levels are full
• Fuel levels are kept as close to full as possible
• Vehicle lights are functional, including brake lights, headlights, and emergency and flashing lights

SHARING THE ROAD
“We work closely with our district partners to determine how weather conditions will impact school closures and our transportation services,” says Shelly Hall, our Senior Vice President of Health & Safety. “School bus and pedestrian accidents can be avoided, and it takes everyone’s cooperation to keep our students safe, especially as we approach winter storm season.”

Passenger vehicles sharing the road must use caution during winter months and be aware of how weather can impact the performance of a school bus, which is significantly heavier than traditional vehicles.

Adjust your speed. Slippery conditions require longer brake times, especially for a school bus. As a general rule, drivers should adjust their speed to plan for at least three times more braking distance than normal.

Follow at a safe distance. Anytime winter weather is present, increase your following distance up to six seconds, instead of the usual four.

Watch for black ice. The ground heats more slowly than the air above it, so roads may be icy even when the outside temperature is above freezing. Dangerous black ice has a matte appearance, and tends to form overnight or in the early morning hours.

Roadways thaw unevenly. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas tend to remain icy even when other parts of the roadway may have thawed.

STAYING SAFE AT THE BUS STOP
STA always starts the day with ground crews assessing road conditions, as well as preparing and inspecting buses; however, we believe that safety often starts long before the bus yard.

Our Safety Team is offering these essential safety tips for students and caregivers to follow on those chilly school mornings:

Bundle up. Students should dress appropriately with hats, boots, gloves and other winter clothing to stay warm at the bus stop. A water-resistant jacket can help to ensure the student is comfortable and protected from the elements.

Arrive early. Plan for ample time to safely arrive at the bus stop. In the early mornings, salt may not be on the sidewalks yet and some roads may still be in the process of being cleared. Students should wear proper footwear and remain cautious of the pathways ahead.

Be observant. Remind students to be on the lookout for traffic, slick ice spots, and other hazards on the way to their bus stop. Limit their use of headphones, cell phones and other distractors when walking to or waiting at the bus stop. While waiting at the bus stop, students should take a few extra steps back, knowing it may take longer for the bus to come to a complete stop when there is snow or ice on the road.

Stay out of snow. Students may need to be reminded not to play in the snow while waiting for the bus. It is especially important to stay out of snow piles and not throw snowballs at the bus or passing vehicles to prevent unnecessary accidents.

Be patient. Slow driving is essential when snow or ice is on the road. Rest assured that bus drivers are on their way and remain patient if scheduling is delayed! When the bus arrives, students should walk slowly up the steps and use the handrail to prevent slips and falls when entering or exiting the bus.