DISTRACTED DRIVER

Ben Shew

Executive Director

Office of School Transportation

WV Department of Education

Safety is Our Business

Driver Responsibilitieso School Bus is safe

Pre-trip Post-tripo Bus Operator is safe

• Well Trained• Physically Fit• Mentally Alert

Safe Operators

This year we had no student deaths Fewer serious accidents Nationally there is a concern about

distracted driving Distracted Driving includes:

Use of electronic devices Eating and drinking Conversations Fatigue

Distracted Driving

Cell phone and other electronic communication devices

Cell phone usage while driving are being compared to DUI

Policy 4336 - 13.20 Cellular Phones 13.20.1 The use of cellular phones or other portable

electronic devices – even those equipped with hands-free devices – while driving is prohibited

13.20.2 The use of cellular phones while supervising the loading and unloading of students is prohibited.

13.20.3 If communication with the Transportation Department is necessary, the bus must be stopped.

Acrobat Document

NASDPTS "ALERT Drivers Act" Support

Letter

Distracted Driving

Driver fatigue Policy 4336

14.2 Be eligible to operate a school bus without a minimum of six (6) consecutive hours of off duty time, for proper rest between the conclusion of the previous day’s regularly scheduled afternoon run and immediately prior to the beginning of the next day’s regularly scheduled morning run. Also:

14.2.a. More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty; or

14.2.b. For any period after having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty

14.2.c. No school bus operator shall drive a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle, regardless of the number of motor carriers using the driver's services, for any period after:

14.2.c.1. Having been on duty 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor vehicles every day of the week; or

14.2.c.2. Having been on duty 70 hours in any period of 8 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier operates commercial motor vehicles every day of the week.

Driver Fatigue

National Transportation Board (NTSB) “Fatigue can impair a person behind a wheel

much like alcohol or other drugs. We must ensure that as much as possible is being done to protect our transportation system from the insidious effect of human fatigue.”

Fatigue Quiz (True or False) Coffee overcomes effects of drowsiness I can tell when I’m going to sleep Rolling down the window or singing will keep me awake You can stockpile sleep on the weekends Most adults need only 5 hours of sleep A microsleep lasts 2 seconds

Driver Fatigue

Crash Characteristics They occur normally at night or mid-afternoon Crash likely to be serious Driver does not try to avoid crash Crash occurs on high-speed roadway• Risks for Drowsy-Driving Crashes Sleep Loss – 7 to 8 hours of sleep Driving patterns – Changes in normal habit, 3 hrs. or

more driving increases risk. Use of sedating meds – Meds have been provided to

counties Untreated sleep disorders – sleep apnea and

narcolepsy Alcohol – 20 % of fall-asleep crashes involve alcohol

Driver Fatigue

Sleepiness Impairs Performance Slower reaction time

Even small decrements in reaction time can have a profound effect on crash risk, particularly at high speeds

Reduced vigilance Performance declines, including increased periods

on non-responding or delayed responding Deficits in information processing

Processing and integration info takes longer, the accuracy of short-term memory decreases and performance declines

Driver Fatigue

Behavioral Interventions 15 to 20 minute nap Consuming caffeine – min. 2 cups only

effective for a short time Physical discomfort

Kanawha County School Bus Driver wins 3rd place in US School Bus Roadeo

Billy Wiseman receiving award for 3rd in the country