By Madge Watkins Doswell Church Bus Driver
Since I first took the Church Bus Driver's Safety Pledge as mandated by the central Va church bus association, many many riders ask me, sometimes numerous times during the ride, if I adhere to the 10 rules for safe church bus driving, as they are posted in the back of the bus.
I say, where would we be without the proper procedures? In a ravine, or involved in a deadly plunge? From 1940 to 1985, approximately 7 church bus drivers were killed and 108 horribly mangled in church bus accidents. Based on the law of averages, this means that 1 in 235 drivers, who are alive and well today, will be killed or maimed in a church bus accident during the next 30 years. Much of this toll of death and destruction can be avoided by following the 10 safe driving rules.
10 Rules for Safe Church Bus Driving
1. Drive at moderate speeds. approximately 1% of all church bus accidents are caused by drivers exceeding the posted limit. The other 99% are caused by bratty kids who won't sit still. I'm kidding with that stat, but kids roaming the bus is a real problem and it is very distracting.
2. Keep bad odors at a minimum. We all know how bad a church bus can smell, especially when carrying small children and vegetarians. Use a deodorizer to keep noxious fumes at a minimum.
3. Slow down at intersections. Nearly half of all incidents occur at intersections. When approaching an intersection, look both ways, slow down and lay on the horn. Let them know a church bus is coming through!
4. Avoid crashing into things. Crashing into things costs money, something many churches cannot afford.
5. Reduce speed by at least 15% on icy mountain roads. It is 50 times more dangerous to careen around an icy mountain curve at 65 mph than at 45 mph. Use common sense.
6. Reduce speed when the weather is dark. If your itinerary calls for you to leave at 4:00 AM, slow down - at least until the sun rises. 1 out of every 79 church bus crashes occur before sunrise.
7. Don't mix alcohol and gasoline! It will reduce your gas mileage and cause undue engine wear.
8. Watch out for small pets sleeping in driveways. Keep your eyes open when pulling into family driveways. Boy, do I have stories to tell about this one.
9. Don't eat and drive. Take time to eat breakfast at home. Your bus will not fit through fast food drive-thrus.
10. Courtesy and consideration pay! Give your riders up to 20 minutes to board. Act as if you're not looking if they lean out the window in their pajamas and say "not today, thanks."
Next Sunday: Some church bus fun
