Colorado and Nebraska are no strangers to cold hard winters. But the show must go on. Or as the case may be, the school bus must drive on. Help your drivers minimize the risk of school bus winter accidents.
Preparing for driving a school bus in the winter
School bus drivers have a huge responsibility. They are transporting our most precious cargo, and you want to make sure that you are always putting safety first. That means that you have your school bus fleet serviced regularly. Making sure that every part of the bus, from the mechanical to the physical structure is as safe as it can be.
Train school bus drivers
Every school bus driver needs proper training, whether it’s snowing or sunny. For winter driving, make sure that drivers get adequate training in safety measures. Drivers should be familiar with the anti-lock braking system on school buses, as well as know how to handle the bus in the event of skidding or icy roads. Make sure that drivers have both hands on experience handling a school bus in winter, as well as other materials that can provide complete training. The more you educate your drivers, the more comfortable they will be on the winter roads. And the safer your children will be on the bus.
Winter proofing school buses
As your drivers are training for winter driving, make sure they also understand how to winter-proof the school bus. The bus needs to be warm before taking off, so showing up early and making sure the bus is warm is a necessity. You’ll want to prevent the windows from becoming too icy, or fogging up as you drive. There are chemicals available to protect the windows in the winter, and make sure that drivers have clear visibility on the road.
Winter tires and chains
The tires are also important. Make sure that the bus has chains or switches to appropriate winter tires to handle the conditions of the roads. But if chains aren’t necessary, make sure that the tires are always in tip-top condition. Worn tires are in danger of blowouts, or not having good traction on slippery roads.
School buses in Colorado and Nebraska
Safety comes first on the school bus. If you have old school buses, it may be time to upgrade your school bus fleet. Talk to our school bus representatives about your options for Blue Bird School Buses.