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Administrative Procedure 564: SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT

Background 

In the event of a school bus accident the primary responsibility of all staff is to ensure the safety of students, other personnel and the public. Mitigating loss and damage to property is a second concern. Because accident situations are variable, it is recognized that procedures must allow sufficient flexibility to accommodate this. Staff members are expected to act as a reasonable parent and exercise best judgment as to what is to be done. The following procedures are established to provide guidance for this decision making.

Procedures

  1. Communication protocols for parent and public notification will be followed.
     
  2. Contact the Transportation Supervisor immediately. The Transportation Supervisor will contact all emergency personnel required, Superintendent, appropriate schools, administration and parents. Specific instructions will be issued.
     
  3. The driver shall check for injuries and administer or arrange for first aid as quickly as possible. The driver will use warning devices, such as reflectors, where applicable. 
     
  4. If there is danger of fire, the driver shall remove all passengers to a safe distance from the vehicle, ensuring the ignition key is in off position. In the winter it is important to protect passengers from the cold weather. 
     
  5. In the event that the RCMP are not available, and another vehicle is involved in the accident, regardless of fault, the bus driver shall obtain the following from the other driver: 
    1. Name, 
    2. Driver’s license number, 
    3. Vehicle make, 
    4. Serial number, 
    5. License plate number, and
    6. Insurance agent and address. 
       
  6. Where medical attention is not required, passengers may be dispersed as follows: 
    1. If enroute to school, passengers are to be delivered to school as soon as possible and the Principal is to be advised that they were involved in an accident. 
    2. If enroute home, passengers are to be delivered home as soon as possible and the parents advised that they were involved in an accident. 
       
  7. Since it is not possible to foresee all circumstances which may occur in an accident, it may be necessary to deviate from some of these instructions. In any event good common sense and reasonable actions must be used.
     

Reference

Section 11,33,52,53,59,68,196,197,222,225 Education Act

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Traffic Safety Act 

Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulation 121/2009 

Student Transportation Regulation 250/98 (Amended A.R. 125/2005) 

Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation 304/2002 

Vehicle Equipment Regulation 122/2009


Approved: August 21, 2018

Last Updated: November 13, 2019