Is it unlawful for a school bus driver to make a child sit on the bus steps?

Question

A friend just recently learned that her son is made to set on the boarding/unloading steps of the school bus while transporting children to school as a disciplinary action for her (overly active) kindergartner. This sounds like a very dangerous and maybe unlawful decision by the bus driver. I've looked around on the internet and have'nt been able to find any rules or saftey laws. Anyone know where I might find som info?

Answer 1

I would report the bus driver to thier employer, and the school!

Answer 2

YES! That is not a safe seat. The children cannot be past the line near the driver. Check with your state's DMV website. It should have a section on that. You should first tell your friend to tell the school's principal. I drove a bus for 11 years and yes, I was trained and had to take courses every year to keep the license.

Answer 3

Yes it is. It is very Illegal, it has to be think about it if the bus has to stop suddenly that child's head is going to hit the metal bar and the doors could not have shut right there he goes...Call a bus garage..any bus garage if you dont want to call the one that the bus driver is doing it at. Just look in the yellow pages or call Info. That needs to stop seriously. His life is in danger every time that dumb *** driver does that

Answer 4

Back in my day, the "bad kids" were made to sit in the first set of seats of the bus when they mis-behaved.

I would consider calling the bus company and ask if children are allowed out of their seats while the bus is in motion. Depending on the answer, ask if the children are allowed to be seated anywhere other than a seat. I can't imagine that the stair well would be a legal seat. There have to be rules posted somewhere.

Answer 5

I know in the district that I attended school in there was a yellow line on the floor, in front of the front seat behind the driver, the law is that the bus couldn't move if there was someone in front of the line. I would definetly call the school, the bus company, and the police.

Answer 6

This is a horrible case of misjudgement by the bus driver. I believe it is unlawful for them to make a child sit on the steps. When I rode the bus (ions ago) the first two seats were left empty for that reason...discipline.

I would call the local bus company that operated your District's bus services and complain to them.

Answer 7

Yes I believe that it is unlawful for a child to sit on the steps of the bus. Safety reasons alone makes it unsafe for anyone sit on the steps. Public buses have that yellow limit line that if cross the bus cannot continue to operate. You have to report that to a administrator at your child's school immediately.

Answer 8

I believe there is a yellow line at the front of the bus before you go down the steps by law know one is to sit or stand in front of that line, exclude the bus driver.

Answer 9

That is extremely dangerous and illegal. I can't believe that that bus driver has been able to get away with that. I would contact the school district offices IMMEDIATELY. If that bus were to be sideswiped or even get into a minor accident, your child could easily be killed. CONTACT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IMMEDIATELY; AND IF THEY HESITATE OR DON'T TAKE ACTION, CONTACT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE POLICE.

Answer 10

Yes! Cover your butt before you turn driver in. Check with your local police department and tell them what is going on and maybe have them stop the bus enroute.