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DW
New Member
USA
1 Posts |
 Posted - 03/23/2005 : 11:51:09 AM
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Is there School District or Contractor policy(or procedures) out there for drivers who talk on the cell phone while the bus is in motion.
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littlebit
Advanced Member
431 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 8:46:30 PM
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| It's against the law in the State of TN. |
 Bus 34 |
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mlkdrives41
Top Member
USA
2055 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2005 : 09:58:58 AM
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| Also against the law in the state of NY. |
Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm! |
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rswboe
Top Member
USA
675 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2005 : 10:17:59 AM
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| Same in NJ, against the law. |
Live each like it's going to be your last, one day you'll be right! |
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kscalf
Senior Member
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2005 : 1:56:55 PM
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We expect Washington to pass the law any day. In the mean time, this is the instruction my drivers received.
Over the past year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been assessing the connection between cell phone usage while driving and accidents. According to most studies, talking on the cell phone is so distracting that the reflexes of the driver are diminished as if they were drunk or under the influence of drugs. The Washington State Legislature is considering a bill that would make talking on a cell phone a “secondary” offense. A secondary offense can be added to other tickets (for speeding, missing lights, expired tabs, etc.) but is not the one that causes the red lights to flash and an officer to pull you over. The law will allow for “hands-free” models. However, the studies show that the distraction is the same whether “hands-free” or not.
Our cell phone usage has always been a concern, because of our responsibility to provide safe transportation to our passengers and to be vigilant regarding the safety of other drivers.
I have talked with many of you about how we could operate and have two-way communication without endangering passengers and other drivers. In order to accomplish this, I am instituting new cell-phone rules. These rules apply to all agency cell phones and all transportation vehicles.
1. No personal cell phones will be permitted on route.
2. Cell phones will only be used by drivers to send or receive calls when they are stopped and not in traffic.
3. The only calls that will be placed to your cell phone will originate from the office. (This means that NO family members or other staff will be given agency cell phone numbers. The office number may be given to staff and family members in case of emergency and we will contact the driver.)
4. When you receive a phone call on route, let it ring and go to voice mail. When you are at your next stop, contact the office to obtain the information.
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mlkdrives41
Top Member
USA
2055 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2005 : 06:10:20 AM
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| Very good rules kscalf. I take it your buses don't have two way radios? Even they can be a distraction if there is too much chatter on them. |
Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm! |
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BlueBird44
Top Member
USA
1639 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2005 : 06:14:17 AM
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| It's against the law in the state of Delaware to talk on a cell phone while having passangers on board and you can get a fine if caught. The only time you can talk on it while passangers are onboard is in a case of emergency but you still should pull over as soon as possible. |
IC-The Golden Shield of School Transportation |
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coolbusdriver
Top Member
Canada
1509 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2005 : 11:54:09 AM
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not against the law yet, but definitly against company rules. It also is against common sense! It is bad enough trying to drive a small car while holding one, but why would anyone who has a large bus to navigate even attempt to use a cell phone at the same time?  |
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buslady-582
Advanced Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2005 : 1:32:09 PM
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| Against policy, could be fired if you were caught. I don't have a cell phone, but sometimes I wish I did. But I would never use it while driving or standing in a checkout line ....I HATE THAT!!! People in stores think everyone wants to hear that crap!? |
Bus Nut
see my " Buster" #582
1994 BB TC2000 http://home.new.rr.com/buslady582/mybus.JPG
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Sam
Advanced Member
United States
390 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2005 : 6:46:32 PM
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| (Florida) no law yet, I wish there were. We are not allowed to talk on a cell phone while driving. Unless it has a "hands free" set. Tell me the logic in that. I have heard of drivers telling their students to be quiet so they can talk on the phone during the route. |
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CountGirl
Top Member
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2005 : 12:26:54 AM
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No personal cell phones allowed for First Student. Using your cell phone during route is prohibited - termination if caught [I believe]. You are allowed to use it conservatively (in other words it is not reccommended, but allowed) if you are parked at a school waiting for students (like in the afternoon). As far as trips go, same main rules while transporting, but some trips last twelve to fourteen hours apiece and there is no way they can put a restriction on that - don't use it when the bus is on/in motion and you are ok.
I just had a "bus quiz" on this when we went up to a track meet on Saturday with the team. [Coaches were having a little fun with Manager  ] - Anyway, I passed the "quiz"!
P.S. Drivers are allowed to use Nextel 2-ways briefly enroute, if you are going to be discussing something lengthy pull over, and if your Nextel doesn't work and your cell phone does, you are allowed to pull off the road completely / secure bus but remain with it and conduct a call on your phone if absoultely needed [directions, roadside assistance etc].
Count |
Give me a yellow object. Yes. Right now. I need my yellow chocolate, for goodness sake! |
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ooms7j
Senior Member
USA
154 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2005 : 11:58:29 AM
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| In my corp. we severly punish our drivers. They get a two week vacation with out pay. |
Emergency situations are my responsibility, Drive Safe, ooms7j
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brian.whitta
Senior Member
USA
55 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 5:13:03 PM
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Well kids, add Ohio to the list - AGAINST the law (as it should be!)
Brian Whitta
Ohio Dept of Education
Office of Pupil Transportation |
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Kittybus
Active Member
40 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 07:31:10 AM
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| Massachusetts --- Against the law to use a cell phone while operating a "School Bus." Many drivers do, you see on the road gabbing constantly, there are no repercussions yet anyway. I think it should be against the law period. How many people do you see pulling "stupid maneuvers" while gabbing on cell phones. IT is amazing they make it to their destination in one piece. |
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92FrdCarp#11
Top Member
USA
1455 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 10:00:22 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by littlebit
It's against the law in the State of TN.
I wish I would've read this thread. My bus driver does this. Only time he talks on it is if he can't get ahold of the school on the radio or if someone calls him on it. If I would've known this, I would have reported it to the Transportation Supervisor. |
Johnny
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kcooper74
Active Member
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2005 : 09:45:05 AM
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| I am not sure what the law is in Missouri. Our busses are equipped with GPS cell phones, that we are suppose to use as walkie talkies. Communication back and forth with the office on privacy matters. We also have cb's on the bus as well. Our company tells us not to use our cell phones while we are driving. I on the other hand have this motto. If my personal cell phone is ringing, I don't answer it. At the end of my route, and all children are off the bus, I pull over and park my bus. I check to see who is calling and if it is from one of my children I call back. They know they do not call unless it is a dire emergency. If it is my bus GPS, I pull over, park and answer as well. I hate answering my cb, because it is a huge distraction. But I try and not answer it unless I am at my stops. It is all common sense really. I don't like to answer my phone while I am driving my personal car either. It is one of my pet peeves as well. |
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Drivers Using Cell Phones while bus in motion?
