School Bus Safety Drill
The drills on school buses are required by Section 3623 of the Education Law to include practice and instruction in the location, use and operation of emergency doors, fire extinguishers, first-aid equipment, and windows as a means of escape in case of fire or accident. Drills will also include instruction in safe boarding and exiting procedures with specific emphasis on when and how to approach, board, disembark, and move away from the bus. Each drill should include specific instructions for pupils to advance at least 10 feet in front of the bus before crossing the highway after disembarking. Each drill shall emphasize specific hazards encountered by children during snow, ice, rain and other inclement weather including, but not necessarily limited to, poor driver visibility, reduced vehicular control and reduced hearing. All such drills shall include instruction in the importance of orderly conduct by all school bus passengers.
Pupils attending public or nonpublic schools who do not participate in the drills shall also be provided drills on school buses or shall receive in-class instruction concerning bus safety practices and procedures.
A minimum of three such drills shall be held on each school bus during the school year, the first shall be conducted during the first week of the fall term, the second between November 1 and December 31, and the third between March 1 and April 30.
School authorities will certify on the annual report to the State Education Department that the district has complied.