How can a school bus driver improve safety when operating the vehicle?

Obeying all traffic laws and signals is crucial for a school bus driver to ensure the safety of everyone on the road, especially children. Traffic laws are designed to create an orderly and predictable environment, which is essential when operating a vehicle that transports young passengers. By adhering to speed limits, stopping at red lights, using turn signals, and following school bus-specific regulations, the driver mitigates the risks of accidents and increases the safety of students disembarking or boarding the bus.

Maintaining a constant speed, while important to some degree, does not address potential hazards or the need to adjust speed according to traffic conditions. Using the bus horn excessively can lead to confusion and anxiety among children and other road users, rather than enhancing safety. Finally, minimizing mirror adjustments could lead to blind spots and undetected hazards, compromising the driver's ability to monitor the surrounding area effectively. Therefore, following traffic laws is the foundational practice that directly correlates with improved safety for all.