KIDS NEED TO BE WATCHED TOO

It is noted that in 1983-1984, school bus drivers killed nearly three times as many children as did drivers of other vehicles in loading and unloading situations. Although safety programs have increased public awareness about school bus safety and have increased schoolchild safety practices, school bus drivers and parents need to be more heavily involved in the effort to reduce the school bus caused child fatalities. The point is made that drivers should never fail to count and record the exact number and location of all children and, under no circumstances, move until each is personally accounted for. Although arguments have been presented why such accounting could lead to more accidents because of meeting time schedules, it is submitted that the safety of children must be assured at any cost and must never be compromised. A double set of mirrors on both right and left fenders which enable the driver to observe any object in front of the vehicle as well as along both sides is a requirement of many states and districts. A new bus body design that enhances the drivers line of vision is also described.

• Corporate Authors:

  US Air Force Inspection and Safety, Center

  Norton AFB, CA  United States  92409
• Authors:
  • Bernard, R
• Publication Date: 1985-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 3 p.
• Serial:
  • Driver
  • Volume: 30
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: US Air Force Inspection and Safety, Center

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driver performance; Drivers; Fatalities; Mirrors; Personnel performance; School bus drivers; School children; Traffic safety; Vehicle design; Vision
• Uncontrolled Terms: Child safety
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver vision
• Subject Areas: Design; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00450951
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-038 996
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 31 1985 12:00AM