California's best kept secret... The Yellow School Bus!

The Yellow School Bus Transportation is the safest, most economical and friendly method of transporting California's school children.

According to the National Safety Council,
Yellow School Buses are:

· 172 times safer than your family automobile
· 8 times safer than passenger trains
· 8 times safer than scheduled airlines
· 4 times safer than transit buses
· 4 times safer than intercity buses

The Department of Transportation requires many additional safety features be built into every school bus which are not found on any other public or private vehicle.

All school buses are inspected daily by the school bus drivers and annually by the California Highway Patrol to ensure the buses meet safety standards. In addition, District mechanics perform comprehensive inspections every 45 days or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

School bus drivers are required by law to receive more training than any other driver in the state. A school bus driver's background is checked by the Department of Justice and/or the FBI prior to receiving a license to drive a school bus. School bus drivers must have a current Department of Transportation Medical Certificate (DL-51) and pass the written CHP First Aid Test or have a current First Aid Card. School bus drivers must participate in a pre-employment drug and alcohol test and are randomly tested thereafter. All school bus drivers must attend regularly scheduled safety meetings and attend additional training sessions to maintain the skills needed to safely transport students. School bus drivers must have and maintain a clean driving record, both professionally and personally.

The Danger Zone

"The Danger Zone" is the ten-foot area around the school bus. This area is especially dangerous because students can stand in places in which the driver of the bus cannot see. Students should always use extreme caution when in "The Danger Zone." Upon exiting the bus, students are instructed to take ten large steps away from the bus. If the student(s) are required to cross the street, they MUST follow the driver's instructions to assure a safe crossing. Students are also expected to check for traffic on their own. Students must look to the driver for instructions, as there may be a dangerous situation in the making.

"The Sweetwater Union High School District does not discriminate with regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry/ethnicity, marital or parental status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or any other unlawful consideration.   SUHSD Board Policy #2224"

"Sweetwater Union High School District, no discrimina en cuanto a género, raza, religión, color, origen nacional, ascendencia, etnia, estado civil, edad, discapacidad física o mental, orientación sexual o cualquier otra consideración illegal.  Política #2224 del Consejo de SUHSD