Tippecanoe Valley Implements 'Universal Crossing Signal'
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AKRON - Transporting children safely to and from school is the top priority of each Tippecanoe Valley bus driver.
Starting the first day of school, each Tippecanoe Valley school bus driver will use the "Universal Crossing Signal" for any student who must cross the highway while getting on or off the bus.
The "Universal Crossing Signal" involves the driver holding his/her hand with the palm facing the student until it is safe to cross. Then, with the thumb pointing up, index finger extended out (pointing), remaining three fingers curled in toward the palm of the hand (like a clenched fist), the driver points at the child and slowly motions from right to left (left to right if loading), indicating that the child should proceed across the road while following proper crossing procedures. The signal used to indicate it is safe to cross is a two-part signal. First, the thumbs up signal indicates that the coast is clear; then the index finger points the direction to travel.
If the bus driver perceives danger while the child is crossing, the horn means "get back to the side of the road you started from." The horn provides the quickest and most reliable signal in this situation. In an emergency, hand signals could be misinterpreted by the child, or hard to see because of glare or darkness.
The school bus driver, properly using all mirrors, is in a position to analyze what the traffic is doing. It is only when the driver is convinced that traffic is controlled that the driver will give the child the signal to cross the highway, using proper crossing procedures while doing so.
