WHY PERFORM VEHICLE INSPECTIONS?

The transportation of students is a sensitive job requiring concern for safety and liability. 

State Statute – Model Traffic Code for Colorado 2020

202.  Unsafe vehicles - penalty – identification plates.

(1) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person, or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this section and sections 204 to 231 and part 3 of this Code, or which is equipped in any manner in violation of said sections and part 3 or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required under said sections and part 3.

203.  Unsafe vehicles - spot inspections.

(1)     Uniformed police officers, at any time upon reasonable cause, may require the driver of a vehicle to stop and submit such vehicle and its equipment to an inspection and such test with reference thereto as may be appropriate. The fact that a vehicle is an older model vehicle shall not alone constitute reasonable cause. In the event such vehicle is found to be in an unsafe condition or the required equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment, the officer may give a written notice and issue a summons to the driver. Said notice shall require that such vehicle be placed in safe condition and properly equipped or that its equipment be placed in proper repair and adjustment, the particulars of which shall be specified on said notice.

(2)     In the event any such vehicle is, in the reasonable judgment of such police officer, in such condition that further operation would be hazardous, the officer may require, in addition to the instructions set forth in subsection (1) of this section, that the vehicle be moved at the operator’s expense and not operated under its own power or that it be driven to the nearest garage or other place of safety.

Safety

Safety is the most important reason you inspect your vehicle. Good inspections provide safety for you and for other road users. A vehicle defect found during an inspection could save you problems later. You could have a breakdown on the road that will cost time and dollars, or even worse, cause a crash because of the defect. School officials and parents trust us with the safety of their children while they are in our care. If you did not perform your pre-trip and a child was injured due to a malfunction of your vehicle that you may have discovered during the course of a pre- trip, how would you explain to that parent why you did not perform your duties as required?

Prevent Breakdowns

A vehicle inspection can, if done properly prevent breakdowns. You are trying to prevent a breakdown by maintaining your bus in its best condition. By using a prepared checklist, many items can be checked to determine if the bus is safe and ready to drive.

Preventing breakdowns can eliminate frustrations for you. For instance, by checking the fan belt, its potential to break while on route can be reduced. This will eliminate the frustration of having to wait for repairs or a bus replacement during the bus run.

Every breakdown regardless of the severity causes you and your students to be placed in potentially unsafe circumstances. Anytime a vehicle is along the edge of a roadway it creates a hazard for other motorists, and a school bus on the shoulder will have more than the usual amount of people stopping asking if you need assistance, thus creating an even bigger hazard.

When a school vehicle has a break down it causes great anxiety to some of our younger students, and if you have any medically fragile students it could be life-threatening. For instance, consider the student that is a severe diabetic and needs medication at particular  times and you are delayed for a substantial amount of time due to a breakdown that could have been prevented by doing a thorough pre-trip.

Reduce Delays

Repairing worn and broken parts not only eliminates frustrations for you, but it also eliminates delays for your passengers. When students do not arrive on time to their destination, problems are caused for the students, teachers, and parents.