Rules and Safety
Young people were first transported to school at public expense in the late 19th century - first in horse-drawn wagons and later in converted trucks. By the '20s and '30s, the first vehicles designed specifically for pupil transportation became available. Yet safety continued to be a concern, culminating in 1936 in the first set of national school bus standards.

"School bus transportation continues to be one of the safest forms of transportation" according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It's far, far safer to ride in a yellow bus than in the family car, for instance. This superb record is the result of a consistent cooperative effort by a host of individuals and groups. Everyone with a stake in student transportation - parents, teachers, drivers, school administrators, transportation managers, bus manufacturers and government officials - has a role to play.

School buses and other district vehicles are provided as a service to district students and persons responsible for the students. In order to ensure the safety of all passengers, proper conduct is required. Video taping will occur at random during the school year on routes. Students will not be notified when a recording device has been installed and is in use. Additional disciplinary rules are contained in the District's Student Code of Conduct. Remember, school bus transportation is a privilege, not a right; school bus transportation can be suspended for willful misconduct or endangering the overall safety of the school bus or its occupants.

Passenger Rules:
When riding in a school bus or other district vehicle each passenger should:

- Comply with the driver's directions.
- Treat driver and other rides with respect at all time.
- Do not use loud, rude, profane or obscene languages or gestures.
- Remain seated while vehicle is in motion.
- Keep all personal posessions under control at all times.
- Keep bus aisles free of obstruction.
- Keep unauthorized materials and substances off school buses.
   This includes animals, glass objects, weapons, radios, etc.
- Not eat or drink any kind of food or beverage unless approved by driver.
- Wear your seatbelt.

If the rules are not followed, the driver has the authority to administer consequences based on the severity of the disruption. The school Principle and person responsible for the students will be consulted when the driver judges the offense as serious (level 3) or very serious (level 4).

1st Level
Examples: Minor violations: First time offenses, no safety problem
Consequences: Verbal warning

2nd Level
Examples: Moderate severity: Repeat violation, conduct distracts driver
Consequences: Seat assignment

3rd Level
Examples: Serious or multiple violations: Disruptive, safety problem which compromises safety or welfare of drivers and riders
Consequences: Bus conduct report-administrator and parent contact required.
No more than 2 conduct reports may occur at 3rd level before suspension of riding privileges occur.

4th Level
Examples: Very serious: Vandalism, drugs, alcohol, weapons, assault
Consequences: Bus conduct report-suspension of riding privileges.
Additional 4th level offenses may result in suspension from bus for remainder of the year.

School Bus Regulations:
The following regulations apply to all school buses operated by Amphitheater Public Schools:

1. The bus driver is in complete charge of his vehicle and must be obeyed by all students who ride on his bus. His authority extends to both loading and unloading. All adult passengers such as coaches, teachers, monitors, etc., are also under the authority of the school bus driver.
   
2. A time schedule shall be kept in the bus. Stops not on the schedule shall not be made without the authorization of the Transportation Department, except in the case of an emergency.
   
3. All pupils must be seated on the bus they are riding and remain seated, facing the front of the bus, while the bus is in motion.
   
4. Pupils are not to extend hands, arms, heads, or any objects through the bus windows.
   
5. Pupils are not to eat ice cream, candy, soft drinks, etc., on a bus.
   
6. Pupils are not to throw, shoot, or project any type of object while on the bus.
   
7. A pupil must have written permission to leave the bus at a stop other than the usual stop or at school.
   
8. Pupils shall make every effort to:
   1. keep the buses clean
   2. be courteous to the driver and other pupils
   3. practice safe habits in waiting for a bus, getting on and off a bus, and riding on a bus
   4. never to use loud, vulgar, or profane language on the bus
      
9. Pupils shall cross in front of the bus when loading or unloading and crossing a road or street.
   
10. There shall be no smoking or chewing of any tobacco product, by any passenger on the bus.
    
11. Animals, insects, or reptiles shall not be transported by the school bus.
    
12. Glass items shall not be transported on the school bus
    
13. Weapons or any sort explosives, fireworks, smoke or stink bombs, or other dangerous objects shall not be transported in a school bus.
    
14. Musical intruments may not occupy needed seating space. No instruments shall be placed in driver's compartment or step-well. All instruments carried by students shall be under their control at all times and carried in the lap, between seats, or in a vacant seat properly secured. The aisle is not to be blocked at any time.
    
15. Pupils who refuse to obey the directions of a bus driver promptly or to obey regulations, may be deprived of the previlege of riding to and from school on a bus.

RIDING ON SCHOOL BUSES IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT.

Safety Equipment on Busses:
Buses manufactured after the late 1970's are equipped with more safety equipment than any other vehicle on the road. The size of the school bus itself gives it a big safety advantage in all but most circumstances.

Special passenger crash protection. Well padded, high back, energy-absorbing seats, as well as special requirements for weelchair restraint systems. These seats provide automatic protection for younger passengers. Additionally, school bus interiors are designed to reduce the chances of injury caused by sharp edges or body panels that may tear loose in crash.

Better brakes. Brake systems that enable the school bus to stop in a shorter distance than other large vehicles.

Warning lights. Lights and reflective devices that indicate when the bus is loading and unloading passengers.

Special mirrors. Additional mirrors that allow the driver to see all areas directly in front of and along both sides of the school bus.

Swing out stop arms. A stop arm in newer buses that extends out to the left side of the bus to warn motorists when the bus is loading or unloading passengers.

Emergency exits. Front, side, and rear door

Rollover protection. Rollover protection that reduces the likelihood of a roof collapse and allows for operable emergency exits even after the roof is subject to extreme damage.

Compartmentalization. A passenger compartment designed to reduce the chances of injury to occupants caused by sharp edges of body panels that may tear loose in a crash.

Fuel system protection. Protected fuel tanks, and fuel pump, fuel delivery system, emissions control lines and connections to protect against fuel spills in severe crashes.

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