Follow These Simple Rules

Be Well Rested - Fatigue is one of the major contributing factors to crashes. A well- rested driver is more alert to emergencies and is less likely to misjudge speed and distance. A driver who gets an adequate amount of rest is less likely to overreact to stress created by traffic and passengers.

Physical Health - Both illness and the medicine to combat it can interfere with concentration, coordination, and decision-making abilities. Medications, such as cold treatments, may cause more problems with driving ability than the illness itself.

Behind the wheel of a school transportation vehicle is no place to combat the flu. 

Proper Dress - Clothing contributes to both safety and the driver’s professional image. Loose clothing, drawstrings, unsecured long hair, and jewelry may get caught in equipment. Shoes with smooth soles or spiked heels may cause ankle injuries or slipping and falling on uneven or slick surfaces. Clothing and footwear must be appropriate for road and weather conditions.

Footwear should be firm and stable, with no open toes or heels, and should fit securely to the foot. Remember, clothing that is provocative, advertises drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or sex should not be worn.

Drugs and/or Alcohol – The possession or use of any drugs or alcohol while driving is prohibited. The use of any drugs or alcohol prior to driving a school transportation vehicle is also prohibited.

25-14-103.5

Prohibition against the use of tobacco products and retail marijuana on school property - legislative declaration - education program - special account - definitions.

(1)  The general assembly finds that many of the schools in this state permit the use of tobacco products in and around school property. The general assembly further finds that secondhand smoke generated by such activity and the negative example set and frequently imitated by our school children are detrimental to the health and well-being of such children as well as to school teachers, staff, and visitors. Accordingly, the general assembly finds and declares that it is appropriate to create a safe and healthy school environment by prohibiting the use of tobacco products on all school property.

(2)   As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)   School means a public nursery school, day care center, child care facility, head start program, kindergarten, or elementary or secondary school through grade twelve.

(b)   School property means all property, whether owned, leased, rented, or otherwise used by a school, including, but not limited to, the following:

(I)   All interior portions of any building used for instruction, administration, support services, maintenance, and storage and any other structure used by a school; except that such term shall not apply to a building primarily used as a residence;

(II)   All school grounds surrounding any building specified in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b) over which the school is authorized to exercise dominion and control. Such grounds shall include any playground, athletic field, recreation area, and parking area; and

(III)   All vehicles used by the school for the purpose of transporting students, workers, visitors, or any other persons.

(c)   Tobacco product shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 18-13-121 (5), C.R.S.

(d)   Use means the lighting, chewing, smoking, ingestion, or application of any tobacco product.

(3)  (a) (I) The board of education of each school district shall adopt appropriate policies and rules that mandate a prohibition against the use of all tobacco products and all retail marijuana or retail marijuana products authorized pursuant to article 10 of title 44 on all school property by students, teachers, staff, and visitors and that provide for the enforcement of such policies and rules.

Notice that this says “use” of tobacco products. Noting that there are many drivers that use tobacco products, it is not prohibited for you to carry them on your person or in your private bag, purse, etc. However, it is prohibited from using tobacco products at any time, not just when students are on board. There are many people that have medical conditions that can be aggravated by tobacco smoke, so if you are going to smoke tobacco make sure you are far enough away from the school transportation vehicle that smoke does not enter the vehicle.

Smoking is prohibited on school property.

As a school bus driver, the public holds you at a higher expectation. Please do not wear clothing that promotes the use of tobacco, alcoholic or controlled substances. Follow your district/ charter and service providers dress code.

Confidence - Confidence is also a factor. Over confident drivers may take unnecessary chances. Under confident drivers may not make critical driving decisions in a timely manner.

Emotional and Personal Problems – Driving is no place to rehearse arguments or re- live family fights. When such strong emotional events dominate drivers’ thoughts, safe driving observations or the ability to make sound decisions is affected.

Mental Health - Generally speaking, the problems that fall into this category do not come on suddenly and, while treatable, this usually requires time. Mental health is closely related to emotional upsets and/or to physical problems. Being depressed over a lengthy period, with or without apparent reason, may be related to physical factors or brain chemical imbalances that characterize a mental condition. Drivers experiencing on-going mental or emotional problems may need help from a professional. Seeking out available resources is the first step.

Self-Esteem - These factors cannot be changed in a brief period, but they do affect driving. Studies show that drivers who lack self-esteem have more crashes.

In conclusion, know when you are “fit and ready” to drive the school vehicle. Know and acknowledge when you need help in becoming “fit and ready” to safely transport students. Safely transporting students is our business.


Last modified: Sunday, 7 May 2023, 3:44 PM