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TRANSPORTATION AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

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Important Information for

Agencies

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Transportation Requirements; 1310.10 - General

When an agency provides transportation through another organization or an individual, the agency must ensure the compliance of the transportation provider with these requirements:

(d) Each vehicle used in providing transportation services is equipped with:

1. A communication system to call for assistance in case of an emergency.

2. Safety equipment for use in an emergency, including a charged fire extinguisher that is properly mounted near the driver’s seat and a sign indicating its location.

3. A first aid kit and a sign indicating the location of such equipment.

4. A seat belt cutter for use in anemergency evacuation and a sign indicating its location.

5. Height and weight appropriate safety belts for all children.

6. A reverse beeper.

Agencies must ensure that there is a prescribed procedure for examining the vehicle at the time of arrival to ensure that they are equipped in

accordance with the specifications.

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Driver Qualifications

When signing a contract with a bus company requiring the services of a

transportation company, you not only have the right to request that the company

provides you with a bus that meets all requirements, but also you want to ensure

that the drivers that will provide services to your agency have received the

required training. Inquire about the driver’s driving record and bus monitor training

to ensure bus drivers have behind-the wheel instruction sufficient to enable them to:

Operate the vehicle in a safe and efficient manner; Safely run a fixed route, load and unload children and performing specialized

driving maneuvers; Administer basic first aid in case of injury; Handle emergency situations, including emergency evacuation procedures; Operate any special equipment, such as wheelchair lifts, assistance devices or

special occupant restraints; Conduct routine maintenance and safety checks of the vehicle; Provide transportation services for children with disabilities

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Trip Routing & Special Requirements

Each agency must ensure that in planning routes, the safety of the children being transported is the primary consideration.

The time a child is in transit to and from the program must not exceed one hour unless there is no shorter route available or any alternative shorter route is either unsafe or impractical.

Each agency must ensure that children are only released to a parent or legal guardian, or other individual in writing by the parent or legal guardian.

Agencies must maintain lists of the persons, including alternates in case of emergency, and up-to-date child rosters must be maintained at all times to ensure that no child is left behind, either in the classroom or on the vehicle at the end of the route.

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Safety Education; Important Information for Teachers

Each agency must provide training for parents and children in pedestrian safety.

The training provided to children must be developmentally appropriate and an integral part of the program experiences.

The required transportation and pedestrian safety education of children and parents must be provided within the first thirty days of the program year.

Training on transportation and pedestrian safety, in addition to evacuation drills, should occur prior to children going on field trips

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Training for Children & Parents: Content

Each agency must ensure that children and parents who receive such services are taught:

Children Safe riding practices Safety procedures for boarding

and leaving the vehicle Safety procedures in crossing the

street to and from the vehicle at stops

Emergency evacuation procedures, including participating in an emergency evacuation drill conducted on the vehicle the child will be riding.

Parents Emphasize the importance of

escorting their children to the vehicle stop and the importance of reinforcing the training provided tochildren regarding vehicle safety.

Complement the training provided to their children so that safety practices can be reinforced both in Head Start and at home by the parent.

Each agency must ensure that at least three bus evacuation drills are conducted during the program year.

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Teachers need to develop appropriate lesson plans around safety.

Teachers should include books regarding transportation safety.

Teachers need to do role playing activities related to field trips including safe boarding and exit practices.

Teachers must assist children in recognizing danger zones and signs.

Teachers should have children participate in emergency drills conducted on the vehicle that the children will be riding.

Teachers (and parents) must be aware of any dangerous area, such a high traffic road, construction work or gang related activity to avoid taking children on a walk around that area.

Pedestrian Safety Classroom Implementation

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Safety Tips for Pedestrians (for Children & Parents)

The best way to avoid accidents is to be prepared and be aware of vehicles around you.

Walk on sidewalks: If sidewalks are not available, walk on the edge of the road or on the left shoulder of the road, facing the traffic flow. Use pedestrian bridges when they are available.

Cross at marked crosswalks or intersections. Pedestrians are most often hit by cars when they cross the road at places other than intersections.

Look left, right, and left for traffic. Stop at the curb and look left, right, and left again for traffic. Stopping at the curb signals drivers that you intend to cross.

Always obey traffic signals at intersections where traffic is controlled by signals or traffic officer, do not cross against the stop signal unless directed by an officer or crossing guard.

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Safety Tips for Pedestrians (for Children & Parents)

1. See and be seen: Drivers need to see you to avoid you.

2. Stay out of driver’s blind spot. (Explain blind spot to children).

3. Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets.

4. Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic at night.

5. Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.

6. Do not let children play near traffic or cross the streets by themselves.

7. Be aware of the effects of prescription and non-prescription medications, drugs and alcohol have on your judgment and motor skills. Take the bus, cab, or ask a friend for a ride, but do not walk or drive.

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Safety Procedures for Crossing the Street

Children should be able to recognize and know the importance of safe practices when crossing the street, such as traffic signs, lights

and sounds.

Children should stop at the curb, then look to the left, to the right, and back to the left

again.

Teach children never to cross the street without a grown-up.

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Safety Procedures for Boarding andLeaving the Vehicle for Children

Walking to the Bus Stop:

Always walk on the sidewalk to the bus stop, never run. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left facing traffic.

Go to the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. While at the bus stop, wait quietly in a safe place well away from the road. Do not run and play while waiting.

Getting On and Off the Bus:

Enter the bus in line. Hold handrail while going up and down the stairs.

When entering the bus, go directly to the seat, Remain seated and face forward during the entire ride.

Buckle up right away. Wear your seat belt every time, no matter how short the trip is.

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Safety Procedures for Boarding and Leaving the Vehicle; cont…

Riding the Bus: Always speak quietly on the bus so the driver will not be distracted. Always be

silent when a bus comes to a railroad crossing so the driver can hear if a train is coming.

Never throw things on the bus or out the windows. Keep the aisles clear at all times. Feet should be directly in front of you on the floor and book bags should be kept under your seat or in a designated area. Large equipment should not block the aisle or emergency exits.

Never play with the emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

Hands should be kept to yourself at all times while riding on the bus. Fighting and picking on others creates a dangerous bus ride.

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Safety Procedures for Boarding and Leaving the Vehicle; cont…

Exiting the Bus If you leave something on the bus, never return to the bus to get it. The driver

may not see you come back and he/she may begin to moving the bus. Make

sure that loose objects such as shoe laces or drawstrings are secure before

getting off the bus so that they do not get caught on the handrail or door.

Respect the “Danger Zone” that surrounds all sides of the bus.

The “Danger Zone” of the bus is ten feet wide on all sides of the bus. Always remain 10 steps away from the bus to be out of the danger zone and where the driver can see you.

Always cross the street in front of the bus. Never go behind the bus. If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver before you attempt to pick it up.

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Pre-trip and post-trip inspections should be conducted by

driver and staff to ensure children are not left behind.

Baggage an other items are properly stored and secured; aisles & doors

cleared; emergency exits are unobstructed at all times.

All vehicles occupants must be seated and wearing height and weight

appropriate safety restraints while bus is in motion, except for staff/volunteers

that are assisting children.

Teachers must conduct emergency drills in the same vehicle.

Teachers must provide children with safety training prior to a field trip or walk

through the community.

Safety Riding Practices

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Recognition of the Danger Zones around the vehicles

The “Danger Zone” of the vehicle is ten feet wide

on all sides of the bus.

Tips for children:Respect the “Danger Zone” which surrounds all sides of the bus.Always remain ten steps away from the bus to be out of the “Danger Zone”Always cross the street in front of the bus. Never go behind the bus.

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Safety for Parents

In addition to discussing the same safety procedures for crossing the street, boarding a vehicle, riding and leaving a vehicle, emphasize to parents the importance of the following:

Never let your child play near the street. Your child may dart out into traffic without thinking. The park playground is the best place to play.

Teach your child safe street habits. Teach your child to stop at the curb, then look to the left, to the right, and back to the left again. Teach your child never to cross the street without a grown-up.

Your child should use a booster seat until the belt can be worn low and flat on the hips and shoulder belt can be worn across the shoulders rather than the face or neck (usually at about 80 pounds and 4 feet 9 inches tall).

The safest place for all children even through school-age, is in the back seat of the car.

Set a good example; make sure you and all other adults buckle up too!

Help children recognize traffic signs during a car ride.

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Activities

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Sample Activities

Dramatic Play Area:1. Do a skit about how to behave during a road trip.

Art Area:1. Make a tag board stop sign. Discuss the color, and shape of

the stop sign. Explain that it tells drivers and walkers to stop and let other cars and people go safely.

2. Have children walk march, clap, flap their arms, drive toy cars or pull wagons. Use the stop sign to regulate traffic.

Block Area:1. Create model size bus with blocks and carton boxes, and role

play getting in and out of the bus.2. Make streets and bridges and include traffic signs.3. Design a danger zone.

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Sample Activities

4. Outline an area on the floor or ground outside designated as the "road." Use the masking tape or traffic cones to make lanes and intersections. Place stop signs near any intersections. For a beginner, it may be best to set up the traffic area outside where there is more room for moving.

Invite the child to go for a drive with you. While acting as the traffic cop overseeing the roads, have child

ride his tricycle around the room or outdoor space. Explain that he must stay within the road and stop at the stop signs.

Allow plenty of room for him to practice pedaling, stopping, and turning.

Explain what each obstacle means and why he needs to pay attention. The lines of cones show us where the road is.

Offer encouragement as he practices his growing skills.

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Sample Activities

5. Draw a poster with numbered and illustrated safety rules:

Always hold the handrail or an adult's hand. Watch out for people walking up and down the stairs.

Play away from the stairs.

Place the poster on the wall near the stairs. Invite child to read the poster with you. Next, ask child to climb the stairs with you. As you climb

together, recall each step on the poster. When you get to the top, offer encouragement and talk about

the child's progress; _______, you climbed all the way to the top! Let's try together to go back down the stairs.

At the bottom, review the safety poster again.

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Children with Disabilities

Effective January 18, 2006, each agency must ensure that there are

school buses or allowable alternate vehicles adapted or designed for transportation of children with disabilities available as necessary to transport such children enrolled in the program.

This requirement does not apply to the transportation of children receiving home-based services unless school buses or allowable alternate vehicles are used to transport the other children served under the home-based option by the grantee.

Whenever possible, children with disabilities must be transported in the same vehicles used to transport other children enrolled in the Head Start or Early Head Start program.

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Children with Disabilities

Each agency must specify any special transportation requirements for a child with a disability when preparing the child’s individual education plan (IEP) or individual family service plan (IFSP) , and ensure that in all cases special transportation requirements in a child’s IEP or IFSP are followed including:

Special pick-up and drop-off requirements Special seating requirements; Special equipment needs; Any special assistance that may be required;

and any special training for bus drivers and monitors.

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Resources:

Head Start Performance Standards

DCFS Standards

Department of Transportation

School Bus Safety Resource Guide from Ontario Ministry of Transportation

American Academy of Pediatrics

Creative Curriculum

For more information, call your Support Services Coordinators/Education (312) 743-0300

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