SAFE FLEET BLOG

For school transportation teams, every morning starts with the same goal: make sure every child arrives at school safely and gets home just the as safe. June National Safety Month offers an opportunity to take stock of what’s working, identify areas to improve, and recommit to keeping drivers and students safe. This month, we’d like to reinforce the everyday choices and systems that make this possible.

1. Support Drivers, On and Off the Road

Drivers are the heart of school transportation. They’re behind the wheel in every kind of weather, managing a moving classroom while staying alert to traffic and changing road conditions. Their job demands focus, flexibility, and a deep sense of care. Giving them the support they need is essential.

• Keep training active. Defensive driving techniques, new safety equipment, driver coaching and training should evolve along with your fleet, changing road conditions, increasing congestion, and growing distractions. Regular refreshers help drivers stay sharp and confident

• Prioritize wellbeing. Long hours, early mornings, and split shifts can take a toll. Supporting driver health with manageable schedules, access to wellness resources, and time to rest helps them show up focused and ready

• Plan ahead for fatigue. Instead of waiting until drivers are overwhelmed, use scheduling tools and clear policies to help prevent burnout and reduce risk.

2. Build Safer Rides for Students

Students depend on school bus transportation every day, but many are too young to fully understand how much safety matters. That’s why developing a safety mindset with the goal to ensure students stay safe from the moment they approach the bus to the moment they walk away from it is critical.

• Set clear expectations. Regular reminders—whether through signs, school communications, or simple verbal cues—help reinforce safe behavior on board

• Watch the danger zone. Vehicles passing a stopped school bus continue to be a serious threat. Tools like the Safe Fleet Illegal Passing Suite, which features the Safe Fleet Illuminated Stop Arm , the Predictive Stop Arm, and the Stop Arm Violation Enforcement System (SAVES), help improve safety conditions around the bus to better protect students crossing the street

• Prepare for the unexpected. Emergency drills and simple, repeatable instructions can make a big difference if something goes wrong. Confidence and calm can be taught, and they matter just as much as the bus itself.

3. Prioritize Vehicle Safety

Behind every safe student is a road-ready bus. That means everything from tire pressure to stop arms is working as it should. Consistent inspections keep things running smoothly and help prevent issues before they become incidents.

• Make inspections matter. Encourage drivers to take pre- and post-trip checks seriously. Looking at brakes, lights, mirrors, and stop arms. Catching small issues early can prevent bigger problems later on

• Don’t overlook cleanliness. A tidy, sanitized vehicle keeps the ride safer for everyone. It also helps minimize distractions, reduces health risks, and creates a better environment overall.

• Invest in what works. Equip buses with proven, reliable safety solutions that reduce failure points and support drivers and students when it matters most. A smart investment up front can prevent costly incidents later on.

4. Recognize the People Behind the Wheel

Every safe route, avoided incident, and smooth morning pickup is thanks to the people behind the scenes. National Safety Month is a perfect time to hit pause, look around, and say “thank you.” Recognition is more than a morale boost, it’s a way to reinforce what’s working.

• Appreciate your drivers. Highlight safe driving milestones, calm responses to tough situations, or the everyday reliability that keeps routes on track. Recognition builds morale and sets a strong example

• Share success stories. When a safety practice prevents a close call or improves student behavior, tell that story. It helps others see what works and reminds your team the effort matters.

5. Keep Safety a Year-Round Conversation

National Safety Month may happen in June, but the lessons we focus on now should last far beyond the calendar. Building safer school transportation systems means staying curious, open to improvement, and committed to the people we serve—all year long.

• Review and adjust. Use this month as a check-in. Are your safety policies up to date? Are there new tools that could help? What needs refreshing before school starts again

• Encourage momentum. Safety is an ongoing process. Encourage your team to keep sharing insights, raising questions, and making small improvements every day.

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Whether you’re behind the wheel, in the garage, or leading a transportation team, your work makes a difference. By staying focused on daily practices, strengthening safety systems, and involving the whole community, we create safer rides and peace of mind—for parents, students, and each other.

Explore safety solutions that support your team and protect your riders HERE.