2023                     5730

Non-Instructional/Business Operations

 

SUBJECT:    SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

The safe transportation of students to and from school is of primary concern in the administration of the school bus program. All state laws and regulations pertaining to the safe use of school buses will be observed by drivers, students, and school personnel.

 

Use of Portable Electronic Devices Prohibited

 

For purposes of this policy, and in accordance with applicable law, the terms below will be defined as follows:

 

1. “Portable electronic device” means any mobile telephone (hand held or “hands free”), personal digital assistant (PDA), portable device with mobile data access, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, two-way messaging device, electronic game, portable computing device, or any other electronic device when used to input, write, send, receive, or read text for present or future communication.
2. “Using” means holding a portable electronic device while viewing, taking or transmitting images, playing games, or for the purpose of present or future communication: performing a command or request to access a world wide web page, composing, sending, reading, viewing, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving email, text messages, instant messages, or other electronic data.
3. “In operation” means that the bus engine is running, whether in motion or not.

 

The use of portable electronic devices by a school bus driver at times the vehicle is in operation on the roadway poses a potential safety risk. All school bus drivers are prohibited from using portable electronic devices while the bus is in operation.

 

All school bus drivers’ personal portable electronic devices must be placed in the “off” position when in the possession of the school bus driver while the bus is in operation. Portable electronic devices, including cell phones, may be used in case of emergency.

 

Safety Rules and Inspections

The Transportation Supervisor, in cooperation with the principals, has the responsibility of developing and publishing safety rules to be followed by drivers and passengers, including rules of student conduct. In order to ensure maximum safety to those riding school buses, it is necessary that students and drivers cooperate in this effort. 

 

All buses and other vehicles owned by vendors/contract bus companies with whom the District contracts will have frequent safety inspections and be serviced regularly. The Transportation Supervisor will maintain a comprehensive record of all maintenance performed on each vehicle.

 

Every bus driver is required to report promptly to the Transportation Supervisor any school bus accident, regardless of the severity, involving death, injury, or property damage.

 

 

• Education Law § 3623
• Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 509-a(7), 509-i(1-b), 1174, and 1225-c, and 1125-d
• 8 NYCRR § 156.3
• 17 NYCRR §§ 720.2, 721.1, and 721.2

 

NOTE:     Refer also to Policies

• #5683 — Fire and Emergency Drills, Bomb Threats, and Bus Emergency Drills
• #5741 — Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers

 

 

Adopted:  8/24/11

Revised:  9/22/20, 3/14/23