Vol 1. Feb 05

The Underbuzz

Bus Driver Physical Performance:
Many of you are wondering why we physically have to do these tests. It all goes back to an accident in Central Bridge, New York. It happened on October 21, 1999. The head line reads: School Bus and Dump Truck Collision. You can read the whole story by going to the following web address:
http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2000/HAR0002.pdf
Utah is not the only state to implement this new requirement. Each state has there own guide lines and some states give flexibility to each district. Some have grand fathered rules. Times, repetitions and weighs very from place to place. It just looks like another hoop to jump through and if you don’t make it, there may be some options. No need to fuss. Just do the best you can and move on.

Pre/post Inspections: There seems to still be confusion about this subject. The most important thing is, there is a

paper trail for each time the bus is used. If ever there is a major accident with a bus, the investigating board will go back 90 days through these driver reports. If a report is missing, they will determine who was driving that day and may issue a fine. Doesn’t matter if it was a spare bus or a bus you borrowed, if you used it in the last 90 days and someone else has the big booboo, all the other drivers who used that bus and did complete driver inspection log, could get sited. So turn in your white copies promptly. The same for any spare buses you use. The shop and I disagree on the best procedure on the paper work, but if you do it their way, they are responsible to the critic’s.

Up to Elbows in Grease: Shop, I need to speak to a mechanic. Stand by, …Mechanic? …This is bus 201, I’m in the middle of my run and my turn signals just quit. As the mechanic cleans the remainder of the grease off his hands I can feel the

words he would like to say but doesn’t. Ever heard this on the Radio before? Come on drivers, there is only two decisions to make. Park the bus and demand a replacement bus or use hand signals and return to the shop as soon as practicable. Safety repair issues concerning a bus will always get priority. So park on top and go in and see a mechanic. Making them clean the grease off to visit on the radio is… you pick the words.

Special Ed tip of the month: When parents or caregivers are not home to receive their charge (Child) or don’t come out to the bus on time and this all becomes more then a distraction, fill out an incident report form each and every time, make a copy and turn it into the school from whence the child came or goes. Tango 8 can help you so much better if there is a paper trail.

E-mail: underbuzz@utahschoolbus.org

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