School bus safety
Safety is #1...
Highline School District employs professional drivers, mechanics and monitors who are trained to treat safety as their primary responsibility. Your children are most important to us.
Washington's Strategic Highway Safety Plan states, "School bus travel remains the safest way to send children to school and Washington State continues to ensure that 100 percent of school buses receive safety inspections and school bus drivers receive training in vehicle dynamics, precision driving skills, obstacle avoidance, and evasive maneuvers. From 1994 to present, since data has been collected on school bus passengers, no school bus passenger fatalities have occurred in school bus-related collisions."
What are the bus safety rules for student riders?
To help promote safety for all student riders we have rules we must follow, including Federal and State Laws, and Highline School District Policy.
There are also bus rider rules (pdf) for your student to follow to help ensure a safe ride for everyone.
What is the danger zone around a school bus?
The Danger Zone is the space all around the school bus. It extends out 10 feet (10 giant steps) in all directions. The School Bus Driver cannot see you in this zone. He or she cannot see you around the wheels either. It is very dangerous to be in the Danger Zone.
If you have to cross the road;
a. Make eye contact with the driver.
b. Wait for the driver to signal you when it is safe to cross.
c. Be sure it is safe - Look left, right, then left again .
d. NEVER CROSS BEHIND THE BUS.
Where should I stop when I see a school bus with red lights flashing and stop paddle out?
Whenever you see the alternating flashing red lights on a school bus, you must stop if you are on a two-lane roadway...
...or you are on a multiple-lane roadway and you are traveling in the same direction as the bus.
Why can't my child bring his tuba on the bus?
Certain items are not allowed on board a school bus. Some items are not allowed by law, State Law, (WAC 392-145-015), states no large, sharp or bulky items can be transported in the passenger compartment of a school bus. Other items are not allowed by Highline School District policy and common sense. Special accommodations are made for some musical instruments (pdf). However, at no time may an instrument displace a student rider.
Balloons, popcorn, skateboards, roller blades, 'wheelie' shoes, sacks of flour or sugar, strollers, and potted plants are not permitted. Food items are not permitted for cleanliness and to avoid choking hazards, except food contained inside a sealed lunch box or backpack.
How do I know Highline School District school buses are safe for my child?
Twice yearly our buses are subject to inspection by the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Once a year, each summer, a scheduled inspection including 100% of our fleet is checked by State Patrol officers. During a second 'surprise' inspection they check a random 25% sample of the fleet.
Our mechanics have an outstanding record of passing inspections, and have been recognized locally and nationally. For the past 11 years in a row the shop has had outstanding inspections, with no buses being placed out of service. In 2004 the garage was rated as one of the top ten maintenance programs in North America, by School Bus Fleet magazine.
The mechanic staff have received another outstanding inspection during our 100% WSP inspection for 2008, held May 13, 14 and 15.
How do you ensure my child knows what to do in a bus emergency?
Emergency Exit drills are done twice yearly within six weeks of the beginning of each school semester, as prescribed by state law. Two weeks after the actual drill students are given an oral review. These drills are only conducted in the bus zones on school property for safety purposes. Students exempt from actual drills, e.g. those with special needs, are given oral instruction three times each year.
Are you ready to test your knowledge?
Take the school bus challenge...
