School bus drivers are responsible for ensuring their charges arrive at their destinations safely. Even with a proper pre-trip inspection, however, big yellow buses can experience unexpected mechanical issues, stranding students until heavy-duty towing arrives. While there are rules and procedures governing school district transportation, the following guide will be a useful refresher on the subject for certified drivers or commercial operators. 

What to Do If Your School Bus Breaks Down 

1. Pull Over

Whether it’s an overheated engine or a blown tire, you should pull over to the shoulder. If no shoulder is available, get as far to the right as possible. Don’t panic — you must steer the bus carefully and gradually bring it to a halt. Sudden shifts into other lanes of traffic or abruptly slamming on the brakes could surprise your passengers or other drivers and lead to accidents or injuries. 

2. Use Your Hazards 

As soon as you come to a full stop, turn off the engine and activate your parking brake. Turn on your hazard lights immediately. This will alert other motorists to your presence and limit the risk of accidents. 

3. Help the Children 

Your passengers may be alarmed about the breakdown. Reassure them that you’ll take care of them and get them home or to school as soon as possible. Keep them in the bus unless absolutely necessary. If you’re stopped in a collision-prone location, such as near railroad tracks or a blind curve, or if there’s a condition such as a fire rendering the bus unsafe, you’ll need to evacuate. Follow standard evacuation procedures and move your wards to a secure location away from traffic. 

4. Notify Authorities 

Use your cell phone or radio to let the appropriate parties know that you’ll need heavy-duty towing. Be as specific as possible about your location and try to describe the nature of the problem. You may exit the bus and perform an inspection of the vehicle at this time, if consistent with safety. You should also place triangular reflectors about 100 feet away from both the front and rear of the bus. 

5. Wait for Help 

You’ll need to wait with your passengers until your motor pool dispatcher can call for heavy-duty towing or other assistance arrives to ensure that they’re delivered to their destinations. Depending on their ages, it may be helpful to keep them entertained and distracted while waiting for help with group songs or games like I Spy. 

If you’re a commercial driver or fleet operator who needs heavy-duty towing, turn to Patriot Towing of Washington, MO. These skilled professionals offer fast and reliable round-the-clock roadside assistance to commercial and residential towing clients in a 30-mile radius of Franklin County. They have the right equipment to handle a wide range of vehicles. Learn more about them on their website or call them at (636) 392-5070.