DOHA: Ministry of interior (MoI) has published a safety checklist on their social media platforms for school bus drivers to follow when they pick up and drop students in the morning and afternoon.
The schools should also take initiative and train their drivers and give a checklist to follow in their native tongue. Training, workshops and spot checks should be held for drivers so that they follow the rules.
The post from MoI also lists out useful tips for parents and students, which if followed will help to avoid many untoward incidents.
The full list follows:
Tips for Drivers
School bus drivers should be extra cautious while they transport children to and from the school while school authorities make sure that they are cautious, accountable and competent enough to drive school buses and they undergo periodical trainings on safety.
Drivers are advised to strictly follow the below points
•Always do a pre-trip inspection prior to every run to check for mechanical defects that could jeopardize safety.
•Make sure the bus doors are closed firmly before moving.
•Prevent children from standing on the bus while the bus is in motion.
•Check to make sure all of the children unloading from the bus are at a place of safety before moving the school bus.
•Do not allow children to exit the bus before the bus has come to a complete stop.
•After unloading all children at the school or after your last stop, make sure that no child has been left on the bus.
•Ensure discipline while loading and unloading the bus.
Tips for Parents and Students
•Make habit of arriving at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus.
•Stay out of the street and avoids excessive horseplay while waiting for the school bus.
•Wait for the bus to completely stop before approaching it.
•When riding the bus, make sure your child understands they must remain seated and keep their head and arms inside the bus at all times.
•Do not shout or distract the driver.
•Do not walk in the driver’s “blind spot” — this is the area from the front of the bus to about 10 feet in front of the bus.
•A parent could be at the bus stop before and after school for extra safety.
(Source: MoI)
The Peninsula
