3301-83-13 School bus stops.

(A) Designation of school bus stops

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent or designee to determine the location of all school bus stops which shall be approved annually by the districts board of education as an integral part of the school bus routing plan within ten days following the opening of school. Authority to designate or relocate subsequent school bus stops may be delegated by the board of education to the superintendent or designee.

(B) School bus stop location

(1) Pupils in grades kindergarten through eight may be required to walk up to one-half mile to a designated bus stop.

(2) School bus stop locations shall provide for the maximum safety of pupils giving consideration to distance from residence, traffic volume, physical characteristics, visibility and weather conditions.

(3) School bus stops shall be established on the residence side of all four-lane highways and on the residence side of other roadways posing potential hazards to students as determined by school bus owners.

(4) School bus stops shall be located at a distance from the crest of a hill or curve to allow motorists traveling at the posted speed to stop within the sight distance. If the line of sight is less than five hundred feet in either direction, an approved “school bus stop ahead” sign shall be installed at least five hundred feet in advance of the school bus stop.

(5) Each pupil shall be assigned and required to use a specific school bus stop except in unusual circumstances as approved by the school bus owner or designee.

(6) Each pupil shall be assigned a residence side designated place of safety. Driver must account for each pupil at designated place of safety before leaving. Pupils are not to proceed to their residence until the school bus has departed.

(7) Each bus shall have a detailed route sheet on board which shall include:

(a) Direction to designated stops

(b) Time schedule

(d) Driver-designated place of safety

(e) Number of people at stop location and residence side

(f) List identifying road hazards (paragraph (H) of rule 3301-83-20 of the Administrative Code)

(8) When applicable, each route shall have a responsible student assigned to assist a substitute bus driver with the route.

(1) Check mirrors for traffic conditions and apply brakes well in advance to warn traffic from rear.

(2) Actuate warning lights approximately three hundred feet prior to stop. A strobe light may be used if available and if conditions warrant.

(3) Stop the bus at the designated stop.

(a) The bus shall be stopped near the right side of the paved or traveled portion of the roadway.

(b) The bus should be stopped along the drive way entrance or along the curb when picking up or discharging passengers with special needs which require the use of special equipment.

(i) Stopped on a grade

(ii) Stopped for the left side crossover pickup and discharge, and

(iii) During extended stops created by the number of students at a bus stop

(iv) Operators of vehicles equipped with an approved brake interlock device shall be exempted from these requirements to set the parking brake.

(4) To prevent the bus from lunging forward, the gear shift lever shall be placed into the neutral gear for both manual and automatic transmissions

(5) Open the service door to actuate the warning lights and place hand over horn to warn students of any potential hazards.

(6) Left side crossover pickup

(a) Bring the bus to a stop ten feet or more from the students.

(b) Check mirrors and roadway for safe crossing and count the number of students waiting to board the bus.

(c) The driver must raise his or her hand palm up to be visible to the students outside the bus. When safe to cross, make eye contact with students and signal students by slowly dropping hand straight down and place other hand over the horn.

(d) The students should check for traffic before crossing the roadway and must cross straight across the roadway, approximately ten feet in front of the bus.

(e) When the students board the bus, the driver must count the student(s) as they board and remind them to board quickly and safely.

(f) The driver shall check the overhead mirror to be sure all passengers are seated before moving the bus.

(7) Left side crossover discharge

(a) Bring the bus to a stop approximately ten feet from students designated stop location. Once bus is stopped, students may begin to leave their seats.

(b) Check mirrors and roadway for safe conditions to cross students.

(c) As the students safely and quickly exit the bus, the driver must raise his or her hand palm up to be visible to the students outside the bus, have the other hand covering the horn, and count the number of students exiting the bus.

(i) Students are to walk ten steps along side of roadway away from the front of the bus where the driver can see the students and the students can see the drivers hand. Students must wait for eye contact and signal from driver before crossing.

(ii) When safe to cross, the driver will signal students to cross by dropping hand slowly and straight down, after making eye contact with students.

(iii) Students are to cross directly toward other side of roadway, stopping halfway to check for traffic in both directions. When safe, they must continue to cross to residence side.

(iv) Once on residence side, students are to gather at a designated place of safety where they must remain until the bus leaves the stop. Only after counting students may the driver begin to leave the bus stop. After the bus leaves the stop location, the students may continue to their residence.

(v) Modification of this procedure may be necessary for pre-school, kindergarten, and special needs students.

(8) Right side pickup

(a) Check mirrors and roadway for safe conditions to board students.

(b) Students are to remain clear of the danger zone by waiting at their designated place of safety ten feet or more from the bus.

(d) When the students board the bus the driver must count the students as they board and remind them to board quickly and safely.

(e) The driver shall check the overhead mirror to be sure all passengers are seated before moving the bus.

(9) Right side discharge

(a) Check mirrors and roadway for safe conditions to discharge students.

(b) Once the bus comes to a complete stop, the students may begin to leave their seat to exit the bus.

(c) Students are to exit the bus quickly and safely and walk ten steps clear of the danger zone and wait at the designated place of safety on the residence side.

(d) The driver must count the students as they exit the bus and see them to their designated place of safety on the residence side where they must remain until the bus leaves the stop. Only after counting the students may the driver begin to leave the bus stop. After the bus leaves the stop location, the students may continue to their residence.

(e) Modification of this procedure may be necessary for pre-school, kindergarten, and special needs students.

(10) Shift the gear lever into the starting gear, only after the students are in a safe place.

(11) Before closing the door and canceling the warning lights, look to identify students and potential hazards in the danger zone, counting the mirrors as follows:

(a) 1 – Right side mirror

(b) 2 – Right blind spot mirror

(d) 4 – Left crossover mirror

(e) 5 – Left blind spot mirror

(f) 6 – Left side mirror

(g) 7 – Inside overhead mirror

(h) 8 – Right crossover mirror

(i) 9 – Left crossover mirror.

(12) Close the door when all areas are clear. Door must be closed before the bus moves.

(13) Release the parking brake after closing the door.

(14) The driver must recheck the right and left side mirrors prior to pulling away.

Effective: 02/25/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/29/2006 and 02/25/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3301.07, 4511.76

Rule Amplifies: 3327.01, 3327.12, 4511.76

Prior Effective Dates: 10/22/84, 7/1/91, 10/5/98, 11/13/01