WORKING LESSON PLAN School Bus Driver In-Service

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Buck Robinson
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1 WORKING LESSON PLAN School Bus Driver In-Service TITLE OF LESSON Blind Spots at Intersections and Crosswalks OBJECTIVE At the conclusion of this lesson, the students will be able to: Describe why mirror adjustment is important. List five hazards at an intersection. Demonstrate the activity used to reduce blind spots at an intersection. EQUIPMENT Overhead projector or Power Point equipment Transparencies White board or Flip Chart with markers I. INTRODUCTION In the past two years, Washington State has had two pedestrian fatalities involving school buses at intersections. As School Bus Drivers, we need to stay alert at intersections to avoid the hazards associated with them so we don t create the next tragedy. This lesson plan will focus on the blind spots of a school bus and the problems they create at crosswalks and intersections. We will review various types of mirrors and proper mirror usage. We will also discuss the blind spots from the driver s view. Furthermore we will look at intersections encompassing the approach, straight travel, right and left turns, and become familiar with and overcome their particular hazards. II. PRESENTATION Mirror Adjustment Having mirrors correctly adjusted allows the driver the line of sight to see and the ability to avoid collisions. Mirrors that are not adjusted

2 properly do not maximize the visibility intended by that particular mirror system. Since all Washington State drivers have been trained in the techniques of reference point driving; we now take this same concept and apply it to the adjustment of mirrors to maximize visibility. An individual should be able to sit in the driver s seat, look in the mirror(s), and quickly evaluate what adjustments need to be made. SLIDES 4 & 5 The Intersection Approach Animals have eyesight that is suited for their needs. An eagle can see a mouse and catch it, while flying mph. A turtle has very limited eyesight because he moves very slowly. A human s eyesight is designed to see at 6-10 ft per second which is walking speed, thus when traveling in a vehicle we are traveling faster than our brain can assimilate all the information. It is important to look well in advance and eliminate anything that is not relevant and focus on the potential hazards. (Instructor note: Break into small groups and share answers or record the group answers on the Board or Flip Chart) What should you be looking for as you approach an intersection? SLIDE 9 Pedestrians Animals School zones Parked cars Poor set up Yield signs Passing vehicles Inattention Tail swing hazard Turning vehicles Weather Four way stops Stale traffic lights Construction Time of day Blocking obstacles Buildings Distraction Straight Travel Through Intersections While traveling forward with the side streets controlled, there is still

3 potential for collisions. RCW states that when a pedestrian is waiting to cross at any intersection, the street traffic must yield to them. Often they walk out without warning. At speeds below 25 mph a pedestrian has an 85-90% survival chance. Vehicles going above 25 mph kill pedestrians 85-90% of the time. Scan each intersection left, right, left, right and use ROCK & ROLL to look around your vision blockers. Cover the brakes and slow if there are any potential hazards. Remember never change lanes when crossing through an intersection. RCW Pedestrian right of way in crosswalks. (1) When traffic-control signals are not in place or are not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be a danger. SLIDES 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 17 Right Turns At Intersections Proper set up to implement a proper right turn is important to avoid collisions. Directional signals must be activated at least 100 feet before the intersection. At a controlled intersection when you must stop, stop behind the crosswalk which will enable you to observe it with direct vision. Check the crosswalk for pedestrians. ROCK & ROLL to see around your blind spots. Check traffic around you for: Tail swing Vehicles coming on your right Turning traffic Check the crosswalk one more time before proceeding Speed is an important factor. WAC (7) states All buses shall slow down to ten miles an hour or less and give the proper signal before making a ninety degree right or left turn. This will give

4 you time to adjust if a hazard presents itself. If your district allows a free right on a red light, be extra careful of right of way of traffic and pedestrians. SLIDES 21 & 22 Left Turn At Intersections The left turn has the greatest potential for a pedestrian accident. As we wait for traffic to clear for a left hand turn, we forget to check the crosswalk we are entering. A pedestrian can cross from either direction and stay in our mirror blind spot for the entire turn. It is important to ROCK & ROLL your body to check the crosswalk along with our tail swing on the right and the tracking of the tires on the left. SLIDES 24 & 25 II. SUMMARY This lesson plan examined the blind spots on the school bus and the hazards they create at intersections and crosswalks. We reviewed the mirror and seat placement on the bus and the view blockers they generate. Proper set up, travel, stopping and turning with the use of proper observation and the ROCK & ROLL method have been discussed to overcome many of the blind spot issues confronted by drivers each day. It is our responsibility to stay alert and aware at all intersections to avoid the intersection collision and possible pedestrian injury. III. EVALUATION 1. Describe why mirror placement is important. To maximize vision and minimize hazards

5 2. List 5 (five) hazards at an intersection Pedestrians Animals Time of day Parked cars Poor set up Four way stops Passing vehicles Inattention Tail swing hazards Turning vehicles Weather School zones Stale traffic lights Construction Yield signs Blocking obstacles Buildings Distraction 3. Demonstrate the activity used to reduce the blind spots at an intersection. Rock and Roll

TRAINER NOTES FOR LESSON PLAN School Bus Drivers Inservice TITLE OF LESSON: LOADING & UNLOADING STUDENTS SAFELY

TRAINER NOTES FOR LESSON PLAN 2012 13 School Bus Drivers Inservice TITLE OF LESSON: LOADING & UNLOADING STUDENTS SAFELY Length of Lesson: 45 minutes TRAINER NOTES: This lesson plan is to be used as a review