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Transportation Safety Policy

The safety and welfare of pupils shall be the first consideration in all matters pertaining to transportation.

The board directs the chief school administrator to oversee development of regulations to govern:

  1. Pupil conduct on buses;

  2. Inservice education for bus drivers to include:

    1. Management of pupils;

    2. Safe driving practices; recognition of hazards;

    3. Special concerns in transporting pupils with disabilities;

    4. Emergency procedures on the road; accident report;

    5. Information on required drug and alcohol testing.

Accidents
Forms shall be provided for the immediate reporting of all incidents involving a district owned or contracted vehicle that include any of the following:
 

  1. Physical injury to anyone concerned, no matter how minor

  2. Property damage of any kind, even if the financial loss is negligible

  3. Failure of any mechanical function of a district owned or contracted vehicle during operation, even if no injury or damage results

It shall be the responsibility of the chief school administrator to direct an investigation on the report and to comply with the law. The information gained shall be considered in evaluating personnel performances, and in scheduling inspection of vehicles.

Drills

Emergency evacuation drills shall be conducted regularly throughout the school year to acquaint the pupil riders thoroughly with emergency situations. An emergency evacuation drill shall be held as soon as possible after the opening day of school and then at least twice a year.

NOTE: IF THE DISTRICT DOES NO BUSING, SUCH A DRILL MIGHT ONLY BE NECESSARY BEFORE A FIELD TRIP. ALL PUPILS MUST RECEIVE EVACUATION INSTRUCTION AT LEAST ONCE WITHIN THE SCHOOL YEAR.

Vehicles and Equipment
All district owned or contracted vehicles used to transport children shall be maintained in such condition as to provide safe and efficient transportation service with a minimum of delays and disruption due to mechanical or equipment failure.

All district owned or contracted vehicles used to transport children shall conform with state standards for such vehicles and shall be equipped with all safety devices required by code and statute.

All passengers on buses equipped with seat belts shall wear properly adjusted and fastened
seat belts or other child restraint systems at all times while the bus is in operation.

Bus Drivers
Drivers of all Type I and Type II school vehicles used to transport district pupils shall be licensed by the State of New Jersey as bus drivers. They shall comply with all state requirements on physical condition, criminal history clearance, etc. The district shall be in compliance with all drug and alcohol testing requirements of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act and implementing regulations and shall provide all bus drivers with required information on them (see policy 4119.23 Employee Substance Abuse). Bus drivers are responsible for the safety of pupils entering, riding, and departing their vehicle.

Legal References
N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2 Authority over pupils
N.J.S.A. 18A:39 Transportation to and from schools
N.J.S.A. 39:3-10 et al. Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Highway Safety Act of 1986
N.J.A.C. 6A:27-1.1 et eq Pupil transportation