Backing Policy
In an attempt to minimize backing accidents, this Backing Policy is being implemented.
If you are considering backing-up at any time during your bus/van run, bus trip, etc., you are required to use the 2-way radio to communicate your intention and ask for guidance from your supervisor.
Your supervisor may grant your request under very limited circumstances, but they will likely offer safer solutions to you rather than backing-up.
For those limited situations when your supervisor grants permission to back-up, you need to secure your bus/van and investigate any vehicles, people, mailboxes, telephone poles, basketball hoops, and any other obstacles and obstructions near your bus/van.
This will require you to walk the full length of the interior of your bus at a minimum, looking at the full length of the right side and left side of the bus/van, in addition to the view out the rear door/window.
The best practice and recommended method is to disembark and walk-around the bus/van to confirm there are no concerns prior to backing.
When disembarking, the bus/van needs to be secured:
- Bus in neutral, the parking brake engaged, the ignition key removed, and the passenger door closed behind you utilizing the emergency exit position
- Van in park and key removed from ignition
Typically, your supervisor will instruct you to do a number of things rather than authorizing you to back-up.
Possible supervisor solutions may include:
- Drive to the next intersection and make 4 lefts in a row or 4 rights in a row to get you back on track (missed bus/van stop)
- Drive to/on a series of roads to get you back on route (missed turn or missed stop in rural area)
- Drive to a parking lot that can accommodate your vehicle to turn-around (missed turn or possibly missed stop)
- Secure your bus/van and motion for construction worker, utility worker, emergency personnel, etc., to come to your bus/van for you to ascertain if you are permitted to proceed and/or the estimated length of delay
- If you are trapped without any turning options or parking lots to turn-around and the delay will be lengthy, your supervisor may grant you permission to back-up. In those cases, seek assistance from the workers, first responders, etc. to assist you to back-up safely as far as necessary to be able to reroute.
This is normally due to unexpected road closures: fallen tree, electric wires down, sink hole, water main break, police activity, flooded roadway (we would NOT proceed under any circumstance), etc.
Backing permission exemptions include:
- Backing on Rohrer parking lots as required by limited space
- Authorized turn-arounds on your bus/van run that are required and authorized by the school district as part of your daily route
- Directed to back-up by emergency personnel for the safety of the driver and passengers (be certain to obtain assistance to back-up from emergency personnel)
- Vans that are required to back into the mouth of a driveway (never back farther than necessary and never back out onto the roadway) for student pick-up / drop-off
- Vans that pull into a driveway to go to the student’s house because there is a blacktop/concrete/stone area to turn-around safely at the student’s house
Helpful hints to avoid unnecessary backing:
- Stay focused and don’t drive distracted, especially by allowing your mind to wander to thoughts away from the important task at hand…operating your school vehicle safely.
- While parking at schools, do not park so close to other buses or vans in front of you that you cannot pull-out without backing-up.
- There are times when a van or bus remains along the sidewalk after discharging students for conversations with staff, or there is a mechanical failure, etc.
- There may be times that it is safe and appropriate to go around that vehicle if all students exited and are beyond danger.
- Garbage trucks, oil delivery trucks, etc. (be patient).
- Road crews stopping traffic for necessary road work that will cause a minimal delay.
- A fallen tree when you can see road crews in the process of completing the tree removal.
- Moving trucks/vans with movers or homeowners circulating and you can ask for them to move the vehicle.
This isn’t meant to address every situation you may encounter, but to give you some guidance.
The key is to pick-up the mic for the 2-way radio and inform your supervisor of the situation and wait for their guidance.
Do NOT back-up without their permission and always follow your supervisor’s guidance as long as it is safe to do so.
Your supervisor is there to make the tough calls and to support you so you are successful and not involved in an unnecessary accident.
Your supervisor will either be able to make a phone call on your behalf or ask the school district transportation department to do so.
You are not in this alone. You have knowledgeable assistance a 2-way radio call away, so please take advantage of their expertise to minimize your risk.
