Safety

Safety of School Buses

In Ontario the children who are in our care daily are the first priorities of student transportation. Every school day almost 837,000 students travel in about 16,000 school purpose vehicles. According to Transport Canada, the yellow and black school bus is 16 times safer as a mode of transportation for school children - in terms of construction, driver standards, training, and passenger safety. Ontario regulations require buses be driven by specially trained, licensed drivers with good driving records. All school buses must meet safety standards established by Transport Canada and the province. For example, in Ontario all school buses must have a front safety crossing arm.training, and passenger safety.

MTO continuously monitors developments in the industry and works with our road safety and industry partners to assess additional safety features on school buses. Due to the unique design of school bus seating, Transport Canada does not require seat belts to be installed on school buses at this time, other than for the driver.

School buses are designed to protect passengers through compartmentalization. High-back seats with energy-absorbing seat backs and padding are closely spaced together to contain passengers in the seating position.

Transport Canada is responsible for setting safety standards for equipment, including seat belts, on new vehicles and would be responsible for making any possible changes in those standards.

The Vehicles

Transport Canada research shows, on a per passenger, per kilometre basis, the occupants of school buses are less likely to be injured in road collisions than the occupants of any other vehicles. School buses must meet stringent standards for structural integrity, crash protection, fire retardancy, and emergency equipment.

Murphy Bus Lines is proactive with all our school purpose vehicles. Our mechanics do regular maintenance & service on all school purpose vehicles every 2000 kms.

The Drivers

The training to become a school bus driver is approximately 40 hours in length. Murphy Bus Lines have certified trainers & testers on staff who provide training & ongoing support to our drivers.

Our drivers are required to successfully complete a Defensive Driving Course, complete regular medicals for the MTO, have clean driving records, successfully pass both Criminal Record & Vulnerable Person screening through the local police & complete a CPR /First Aid Course every 3 years. \

The Routes

While traveling by school bus, children are supervised by the driver, who knows them well. Seats are provided for all passengers. School bus routes are planned by the local Consortia around the location of children's homes and schools. Drivers are responsible for making sure each student is picked up and dropped off only at designated locations & and are met by a parent/caregiver if necessary. Bus evacuations occur in Southwestern Ontario throughout the school year

School bus travel is very safe in Ontario. Injuries and fatalities, which are very rare, happen more often outside the school bus as students are boarding and leaving the bus or crossing the street. Parents, help keep your children safe by talking about bus safety with them.

Parents, help keep your children safe by talking about bus safety with them.

When you board or leave a bus

Be at the bus stop before the bus comes [10 minutes before assigned time].

Wait in a safe place well back from the edge of the road - don't play in ditches or on snow banks.

Stay out of the DANGER ZONE. If you can touch the bus, you're too close. Use 10 giants steps to take you out of the DANGER ZONE, and make sure you and the bus driver can see each other.

Always cross the road in front of the bus, never behind.

Look all ways and wait for the driver to signal before you cross in front of a bus

Walk at least 10 big steps from the front of the bus.

Enter or exit the bus in single file. Never push or shove.

Walk - never run - across the road.

NEVER stop to pick up anything that you may have dropped in the DANGER ZONE. Ask an adult or the bus driver to help.

While on the bus

Find a seat right away. Stay seated, facing forward at all times.

Don't put things in the aisle.

Never distract the bus driver. Always follow his or her instructions.

Don't eat or drink.

Don't yell, push people or throw things.

Keep your arms and head inside the bus.

Safety Demonstrations

Students are taught how to safely evacuate a bus.

Every driver of our bus performs a "circle" check to ensure the safety of everyone on the bus.

Our buses are outfitted with special lights to make sure that in every kind of weather our buses are highly visible.