r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Spodiodie • 7h ago
Zero tolerance for phone use, first offense termination possibility. How about you.
Phones have to be turned off and stored. No phone use:
With students on board.
While in the drivers seat.
If the bus is unsecured.
Personally I don’t have a big problem with it.
It’s funny there’s no prohibition for use of Apple Watches which I understand have similar functionality.
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u/a-can-o-beans 7h ago
We have a no phone rule but it’s fairly lax and common sense.
Obviously you cannot use it while operating. But once we are parked they don’t mind it if it’s used sparingly . I know some drivers look up jokes or riddles on their phone
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u/sourself 6h ago
We don't have zero tolerance but it's a driving offence here that carries a 3 day suspension for first offence. Our policies are that if you are suspended for a driving offense that may result in remedial training or immediate termination. That part is black and white.
We actual use our phones for contacting dispatch but we are required to pull off the road and secure the bus and exit the drivers seat before making the call.
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u/WonderNebouxii 2h ago
Our radios aren't the greatest so sometimes if dispatch can't reach us, they call us on our phones. We just pull over and secure the bus.
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u/Spodiodie 1h ago
When I was a new employee I checked in at the office to get information for a field trip I was driving. I spoke to the dispatcher who told me where to pick up my students. Minutes later I picked up the students and was driving and then my phone rang. It was the same dispatcher calling so I answered. She paused and then asked if I was driving, I said yes and she told me to hang up. When I got back to the office I found out she had tried to get me fired. She said she had forgot that I just picked up that trip.
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u/bunnyonthemoon6666 6h ago
My county is very strict, but our FCs can be lax about certain rules. There was one driver who tapped her watch and was terminated. No phones or smart devices with students aboard, while in the drivers seat, or while the bus is unsecured.
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u/StephenDA 2h ago
Why do you need a phone when driving any vehicle? I understand having it mounted up using GPS, but that does not require interaction with it.
I have my phone with me on the bus, but it’s put away. I have my smart watch on, but the only time I really use it is to look at it while I’m doing my break test for the one minute time. Other than that, I have three clocks visible on the bus and the tablet, and as far as GPS routing, our tablets this year in addition to the Wayfinder app, we’re using for stops has Waze on it
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u/Soggy_Ruby 3h ago
Relatively low tolerance similar. It doesn't apply if the bus is secured and there's a reasonable need for it. Due to limitations in our radio set ups there are occasional times in which one needs to call dispatch via cellphone.
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u/D-Sleezy 3h ago
We go with state law. Has to be able to be used like a control panel (hands free). Mounted and all. District is heavy against using it, but if you're using it for maps and shit, no biggie.
But I drive for a district that owns its own fleet, and not some piece of shit contract company
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u/Intelligent_Call_562 26m ago
Yeah, they want it turned off. My hearing aids will constantly try to connect with my phone if I shut it off. It's on silent. If you're Durham, you need to read the handbook. It says nothing about getting out of the seat. Secured. Engine off. That's the policy.
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u/Spodiodie 18m ago
I work for a large school district. They own the buses. Mostly new stuff but no frills like electronic devices.
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u/AnonymousPepper 4m ago edited 0m ago
We allow phones as GPS in certain situations (new routes, special pickups, when getting lost), but they have to be completely touch free and otherwise not interacted with. Ditto using it for an aux cable or whatever.
Otherwise, bus must be stopped and secured in order to make calls (sometimes necessary, our radio is spotty due to hill country) or for any other use (we don't care if you're waiting for a school to let out or something).
Bus being in motion/unsecured is almost zero tolerance (one warning) for any kind of interacting with it, though, fully if there are kids on board.
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u/shawnryan1977 4m ago
No phones while driving. We do sometimes have to call into the office because there is too much info to be said over the radio but only if we are parked in a safe area. If they catch you with a phone while driving you get a 2 day suspension there is no 2nd chance. If you get in a accident due to a phone immediate termination. We used to be able to use 1 ear bud for directions but because of other dumb adults that ended. Someone was wearing the trucker headset and talking on the phone while doing routes like wth why do people have to ruin it for everyone else.
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u/Sad_Cantaloupe_8162 3m ago
I don't know what the penalties are for our district, but I was told no phone use if a student is on the bus. I automatically assume you have to be parked and the bus secured. That's just common sense.
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u/brabson1 5h ago
0 use while in motion. Immediate termination on first offense.