Operating the Vehicle

Driving a school transportation vehicle takes a great deal of skill and understanding of procedures relating to vehicle operations, laws and “Rules of the Road” we must follow. There is an extremely high expectation from the public that we should be nothing short of the absolute best drivers on the road, because we are transporting members of their families. It is important to follow ALL traffic laws not only when you are driving a school transportation vehicle, but in your private vehicle as well. How you drive your private vehicle, is more than likely how you will drive your school vehicle.

Lets review some of the driving fundamentals that we learned in drivers training.

The main characterization of road rage is a brief period of irrationality. When this occurs drivers experience exaggerated anger, irritation, aggravation and impatience! These emotions lead to impaired judgment, saying or doing things they may later regret, engaging in risky driving behaviors and attempting to punish or retaliate against the offending driver.

When you are on school grounds, you should always be going at an extremely low speed, even creeping due to the high volume of people in the general vicinity. If a student were to dart out in front of your vehicle, or slip off the curb would you be able to stop?

 SLOW DOWN ON SCHOOL PROPERTY!

 The main reason drivers exceed speed limits are to save time. However, anyone trying to drive faster than the speed of traffic will not be able to save much time. The risks involved are not worth it. If you go faster than the speed of other traffic, you will have to keep passing other vehicles. This increases the chance of a crash, and it is more tiring. Fatigue increases the chance of a crash. Going with the flow of traffic is safer and easier.

You cannot prevent other vehicles from following you too closely, however, there are a few things you can do to reduce some of the risk they create.

Delineator Posts are interstate green with colored delineators. They are in high risk and informational areas of roadways to convey a variety of messages to motorists. Below are some specifics on delineators.

 Delineator Panels These are a striped marker consisting of a vertical rectangle with alternating black and retro-reflective yellow stripes sloping downward at an angle of 45 degrees toward the side of the obstruction on which traffic is to pass. These types of delineators can be seen on the end of guardrails, on bridges, etc.

 Delineator a retro-reflective device mounted above the roadway surface and along the side of the roadway in a series to indicate the alignment of the roadway, especially at night or in adverse weather.

Standardized traffic controls are used to control and guide driver behavior. Most school bus drivers will be familiar with these devices because of their experience with driving automobiles. This section will briefly review all types of traffic control devices, highlighting some of the less understood, newer devices. Traffic signs can convey many different types of messages to the driver. They inform the driver of laws, warning of hazards ahead, or information and guidance.

18.13 Pursuant to 42-4-707 C.R.S., School transportation vehicle operators of School Buses, Multifunction Buses and Motor Coach Buses, whether transporting students or not, shall apply the following procedures during the process of approaching, stopping and crossing railroad tracks: