A study to assess whether the school bus speed limit should be changed in Virginia is described in this report. The relationship between the safety characteristics of Virginia's three-tiered speed limit system and school bus operation is examined to determine the optimal level of safety for school bus travel. Virginia allows the following three…

Developed for teachers and members of the pupil transportation staff who conduct school bus drills, these 10 lesson outlines are intended for classroom instruction on school bus safety. Lessons may be adapted to fit the grade level, intelligence, and special needs of students. Topics covered are: preparing to ride the bus, boarding and proceeding…

This document provides a summary of selected school bus crash statistics for 1989. Information was obtained from the following data sources: the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS), the General Estimates System (GES), and the School Bus Fleet Annual Fact Book. The data are organized into four sections: (1) a summary of national and selected…

The hearing was held to examine the following student-transportation safety issues: defective handrails on school buses; the need for a school-bus specific-commercial driver's license; and the use of public transportation by students. Senator Mike DeWine presided over the hearing. The document contains testimonies and prepared statements of…

This document provides statistical information regarding the incidence of school bus-related accidents and fatalities. Descriptive data are presented on occupant and pedestrian fatalities by age, time of day, and principal impact point on school bus vehicle; the number of school-age pedestrian deaths; and the number of school bus-related crashes.…

This study reports on the crash performance of large poststandard school buses (school buses manufactured after April 1, 1977, and weighing more than 10,000 pounds unloaded) in 43 accidents investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. The report discusses the Safety Board's findings as to how well the standards are working to protect…

The study examines the rates and types of school bus accidents according to the age of the school bus driver. Accident rates in North Carolina for the school year 1971-72 were analyzed using three sources of data: accident reports, driver and mileage data, and questionnaires administered to a sample of school bus drivers. Data were obtained on…

Reviews conflicting federal and state developments (including liability lawsuits) involving seat belt installation on school buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board differ on this issue, and several states are considering seat belt legislation or crashworthiness studies. Hints are…

Four units are provided for formal classroom instruction in advanced competencies for school bus drivers in Illinois. Units cover passenger control, accidents and emergencies, detecting hazards, and first aid. Each unit contains some or all of the following components: table of contents; a list of objectives; informative material, including an…

Discusses the new Federal Student Transportation Safety Standard 17. David H. Soule, designer and administrator of Standard 17, is interviewed. Topics covered are Federal aid, Federal-State-local relationship, bus driver training, and bus routing. (DN)

This publication provides a summary and update of school bus-safety activities conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This report discusses Congressional mandates and NHTSA's actions to improve school-bus safety (which include programs that affect human behavior and motor-vehicle safety performance), the magnitude…

While school buses transport more passengers per trip, the rate of occupant fatalities per mile driven for school buses is one-quarter that for passenger cars. Nevertheless, the public expects school districts and other school bus operators to take all reasonable precautions to protect children as they travel to and from school. Although a variety…

This publication is a collection of the statements made in a hearing before the Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Hazardous Materials of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. In particular, the topic was the safety implications of a Kentucky school bus crash on May 14, 1984. Discussed are the issues of…

The safe and effective transportation of pupils to and from schol is an integral part of a sound educational program. This course guide is a study and reference tool for use in a training course designed to promote the competency of school bus drivers throughout the State of Texas. Unit 1 of the guide provides an overview of the transportation…

Following the deaths of two elementary school students in bus-related accidents in 1992, the Coroner of Quebec held extensive hearings investigating school bus safety and accident prevention. A subsequent report addressed responsibilities of government and school board officials to correct deficiencies in school bus services and provided…