ANALYSIS By Joe Scesny
Security Inspections: What Makes an Efficient School Bus Driver Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Program?
Across the United States there are many state laws, codes and guidelines. Most, if not
all, include the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) language that requires components to be checked and a brief description of component ware tolerances or function. Most are a laundry list of items and are likely to be overwhelming to the novice. But what’s missing many times is uniformity in the actual performance. In a comparison
to a song, we have the lyrics but lack the music — rhythm AND routine. I have spent many years conducting observations, investigations and workshops geared to
the pre-trip, post-trip and security inspection. A big difference frequently observed is the type of road-test training the driver receives prior to being hired. Tis exercise is usually based on the state’s specific requirements needed to pass the road test. Many times a non-mechanical- ly-inclined employee will teach the candidate the inspection walk-around but will omit some of the more technical, tell-tale or proper methods of inspecting some components. Now comes the driver’s first day of duty and maybe a different type of bus. How is the
pre-trip performed? I say at least 75 percent of the items that need inspection are what I call no brainers — lights work, windows open, buzzers work, horn toots, etc. My sugges- tion is to refer to the pre-trip as a system check and to include it during the initial run and at refresher courses by utilizing either a mechanic or a driver who excels in this area. Tis training should be performed in a simplified, not-too-technical way with respect to items such as brakes, steering and handling. Today’s school buses are very much different than five to 10 years ago. Just check out all the warning lights in the dash! Training should always include copies of the vehicle’s driver manual. At many shops I
have worked in, the mechanics say they do not always count on the drivers to perform the pre-trip effectively. I have even been asked a few times if it’s legal for the mechanic to perform the driver’s pre-trip. Of course the answer is no, simply because it’s the drivers responsibility. And at times drivers tend not to report, mostly minor, items not working in fear of being given a spare bus. Te maintenance department and the drivers should always have a mechanism for dialogue and input with each other. Te routine in performing the inspection needs to be consistent throughout. Tis train- ing can best be accomplished via the hands-on method rather than just giving the driver
❝ A big difference frequently observed is the
type of road-test training the driver receives prior to being hired. ❞
a printed list to check off. Break it down to a four- or five-step routine (interior/exterior/ brakes/controls/reports). Te inspection should be performed in the most efficient way to capture the most components during each step. With respect to the non-mechanically-inclined driver, it must be understood there will
be different learning time realizations to expect. If you ever participated as a judge in a bus roadeo that incorporated a hands-on inspection, you will undoubtedly understand where
26 School Transportation News Magazine May 2011
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