Why don't school buses have seat belts?

School buses are the safest way to transport your children to and from school. The color and size of school buses make them easily visible and identifiable, their height provides good driver visibility and raises the bus passenger compartment above car impact height; and emergency vehicles are the only other vehicle on the road that can stop traffic like a school bus can.

School buses are carefully designed on a different transportation and protection model than the average passenger car. The children are protected like eggs in an egg carton - compartmentalized, and surrounded with padding and structural integrity to secure the entire container. The seat backs are raised and the shell is reinforced for protection against impact.

There are other differences to consider between your car and your child's school bus. In your car, you can supervise your child and ensure that your child's belt remains properly secure. School buses use what is called "passive restraint," meaning all a child must do to be protected is simply sit down in a seat. School buses also must be designed to be multi-purpose, fitting everything from a six year-old to an 18 year-old senior on the high school football team in full uniform. Sometimes it's two to a seat, other times three. Because of this, emphasis is placed on protecting the entire valuable cargo.

The school bus looks like it's hardly changed in decades. Where's the modernization?

Although school buses have been the safest mode of transportation on the road for decades, the school bus industry is continuously working on new technology and safety features to make our children as safe as possible.
School buses have remained distinctive in color and basic shape for years - preserving their easy identification by the rest of our communities. However, beneath this familiar shape is a modern generation of school bus with dozens of improvements. New buses regularly incorporate new safety features, all designed with the goal of keeping our children safe. You may not see all of them, as improvements are constantly being made both internally and externally with each new model. Different buses from different manufacturers will include different new features, but some examples are:

• Gate arms attached to the front of the bus help guarantee children walk out where the driver can see them at all times. 
• "Sleeping child alarm" in the rear of the bus guarantees the driver checks each seat at the end of his or her route. 
• New designs of the front windows, mirrors and the driver's seat location give drivers a better view of the road and of students. 
• Reinforced side panels resist side impacts. 
• Increased emergency exit space allows quick and easy evacuation if necessary. 
• Higher seat backs to increase the effectiveness of passenger protection. 
• High visibility exterior markings to increase traffic awareness.

How are school bus drivers trained? Can they be trusted with my child?

School bus drivers are the most highly trained, tested and scrutinized drivers on the road. All school bus drivers must obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and must pass written and skills tests to obtain a School Bus Endorsement.

Once they have their licenses, drivers receive specialized classroom and behind-the-wheel training in driving a school bus, student loading/unloading procedures, student evacuation, student behavior and security management, and emergency medical procedures. School bus drivers are carefully monitored by the school district and/or company that manages school bus fleets to ensure that they continue to meet strict safety standards.
In addition, all school bus drivers are required to participate in pre-employment, random and post-accident drug and alcohol testing, under go frequent driving record checks, and pass periodic medical exams to ensure they are physically qualified. Many of these drivers also must pass background checks prior to employment.

How can I be sure that my child is safe from bullying on the bus?

The Humboldt Unified School District is concerned about bullying on school buses, just as our educators are concerned with bullying in the classroom. School bus drivers are being trained with new techniques to manage student behavior and are partnering with school administrators to address the issue. All HUSD school buses now have cameras installed, with audio and visual inside, to monitor students and help with identification and resolution of problems. Another benefit of this technology and training is to enhance the security of our students while they are on the school bus.

What kinds of regulations must school buses abide by?

School buses abide by a host of federal, state and local regulations that govern their production, maintenance and operation.

Regulations vary slightly from state to state, but certain federal guidelines ensure that every bus in every state meets high safety and upkeep requirements. Unfortunately, many of these laws are unfunded mandates, placing the onus to pay for compliance on states, local school districts or school bus operators.

Although the federal government sets requirements for school buses, such as pollution limits and safety features, it does not provide any direct, regular funding to meet these or other expenses. With federal funding to complement these federal regulations, school buses in all states could adhere to even higher safety standards and expand their service.

Information was provided by the American School Bus Council.

School Bus Safety Devices

Amber Warning Lights

These lamps are activated prior to the school bus stopping to load or unload students. You do not have to stop, however, use caution if passing.
 

Red Warning Lights

These lamps are activated once the school bus is stopped to load or unload students. You may not pass a school bus if the red lights are activated.

Stop Arm

The stop arm is deployed when the Red Warning Lights are activated during loading and unloading. You may not pass a school bus if the stop arm is deployed. Some of our school buses are equipped with two stop arms, helping to communicate to following motorist of the school bus being stopped.