School bus Driver Safety – Student Behaviour Stats and Facts

FACTS

  1. Distracting Behaviours: Disruptive student actions, such as yelling, fighting, or standing, divert drivers’ attention from the road, increasing the risk of crashes or near-miss incidents.
  2. Bullying and Violence: Bullying, physical altercations, or harassment on buses create unsafe environments, causing driver stress and potential intervention-related distractions.
  3. Non-Compliance with Rules: Students ignoring safety rules (e.g., not staying seated, throwing objects) compromises driver focus and bus safety, especially during loading/unloading.
  4. Lack of Behaviour Management Training: Many drivers lack adequate training in de-escalation or positive intervention techniques, making it harder to manage disruptive students effectively.
  5. Impact on Driver Retention: Persistent student misbehaviour contributes to driver stress and burnout, exacerbating school bus driver shortages and turnover rates.
  6. Inadequate Support Systems: Limited administrative support or absence of bus monitors leaves drivers solely responsible for managing behaviour, reducing their ability to focus on safe driving.

STATS

  • A 2020 School Transportation News survey found that 70% of school bus drivers reported student misbehaviour as a primary distraction, contributing to unsafe driving conditions.
  • WorkSafeBC reported in 2022 that 10% of school bus driver incidents in British Columbia involved stress-related claims linked to managing disruptive student behaviour.
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted in 2022 that 27% of fatal school bus crashes from 2013–2022 involved driver-related factors, with student distractions cited in 15% of non-fatal incidents.
  • A 2021 Statistics Canada survey indicated that 25% of school bus drivers reported workplace stress due to student behaviour, impacting their focus and safety performance.
  • A 2024 School Bus Fleet report stated that 50% of drivers identified lack of administrative support for student discipline as a barrier to safe bus operation.
  • The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reported in 2023 that schools with bus monitor programs reduced driver-reported behaviour incidents by up to 20%.