Prepared by:

School Transportation Unit

Colorado Department of Education
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A total of 212 school bus accidents were reported throughout the state during the last three years.
For Day of Week, Tuesday was the highest with 28% of the accidents and Thursday was second with 21%.
For Time of Day, 38% of the accidents were during the morning routes and 34% were during the afternoon routes.
For Location of Accident, 39% occurred at intersections and 60% were non-intersections.
For Intersections-44% involved the school bus going straight and 27% involved the school bus turning left.
For Non-intersections-52% involved the school bus going straight.
First Point of Impact-right rear was top at 18% with front right second at 17%.
ConditionsatTimeofAccidentByfarthecommonconditionswere:
o Two lane-65%
o Paved- 90%
o Dry-64%
o No Surface Defects-92%
o Daylight-81%
o Clear-78%
The average school bus driver was:
o 51-60 years of age-33%
o 1-4 Years of Experience-43%
o No prior school bus accidents-64%
CONCLUSIONS: (as of March, 2012)
Colorado School Bus Accident Report
July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2011
AreportableschoolbusaccidentisaccordingtoOperationalRule210.01(i)Iftheaccident
results in injury requiring treatment away from the scene; death; or the total property damage for
the accident equals or exceeds $2,500, the STU-5 form shall be completed and sent to the CDE
within20businessdays.
Of the 212 reported accidents, 14% involved injuries requiring treatment away from the scene for students
and/or the school bus driver while 10% involved injuries/fatalities to the other motorist or pedestrian.
1. It is the newer school bus drivers (1-4 years) with no prior school bus accidents that are
involved in a majority of school bus accidents. After one year, do more drivers need refresher
training? Maybe two or more driver performance tests during the first several years to make
sure the new driver is not becoming complacent.
2. In prior reports, intersection accidents were more common. That has changed to intersection
accidents only accounting for 39% of the accidents. Of the non-intersection accidents, half of
the time the bus was going straight when the bus was hit by another vehicle. Although many
of these types of accidents are non-preventable by the school bus driver, the driver still needs
to be watchful to the sides as they are proceeding.
3. A third (30%) of the school bus accidents involved hitting a fixed object. Many of the reports
indicated that the school bus was in a very narrow tight driveway or street. This indicates that
some of the drivers are not using their mirrors watching for tail swing. Also, some drivers may
benefit from more training on the turning radius of the bus and avoiding distracted driving.
For Type of Accident, 63% were between vehicles and 30% were Fixed Object accidents of which 41% were
striking a parked vehicle.
For Loading/Unloading Zone accidents, it was an even split of 42% each for Approaching Zone and Stopped
in Zone.
Only one of the 212 reports involved an injury to a student in the Loading Zone and no injuries in the Unloading
Zone.
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Of Of Of Of Of Of Of Of
Accidents Total Accidents Total Accidents Total Accidents Total
DAY OF WEEK
Monday 12 13% 8 13% 10 17% 30 14%
Tuesday 27 29% 13 22% 19 32% 59 28%
Wednesday 15 16% 10 17% 8 14% 33 16%
Thursday 17 18% 15 25% 13 22% 45 21%
Friday 19 20% 13 22% 6 10% 38 18%
Saturday 2 2% 1 2% 3 5% 6 3%
Sunday 1 1% 0 0% 0 0% 1 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
TIME OF DAY
6:00am to 9:00am 34 37% 23 38% 23 39% 80 38%
1:30pm to 4:30pm 35 38% 16 27% 22 37% 73 34%
Other - am hours 17 18% 9 15% 4 7% 30 14%
Other - pm hours 7 8% 11 18% 10 17% 28 13%
No Response 0 0% 1 2% 0 0% 1 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
VEHICLE USE
Route 74 80% 23 38% 23 39% 120 57%
Field/activity Trip 17 18% 16 27% 22 37% 55 26%
Other 2 2% 9 15% 4 7% 15 7%
Not Stated 0 0% 11 18% 10 17% 21 10%
No Response 0 0% 1 2% 0 0 1 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
TYPE OF ACCIDENT
Between Vehicles 56 60% 41 68% 36 61% 133 63%
Fixed Object 32 34% 15 25% 16 27% 63 30%
RR Crossing 0 0% 0 0% 1 2% 1 0%
Overturn 1 1% 1 2% 1 2% 3 1%
Pedestrian 0 0% 1 2% 1 2% 2 1%
Animal 1 1% 2 3% 1 2% 4 2%
Other 3 3% 0 0% 2 3% 5 2%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 1 2% 1 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
FIXED OBJECT ACCIDENTS
Parked Vehicle 13 41% 9 60% 4 25% 26 41%
Utility Pole 1 3% 2 13% 7 44% 10 16%
Tree 3 9% 1 7% 1 6% 5 8%
Culvert or Wall 0 0% 0 0% 1 6% 1 2%
Sign 1 3% 1 7% 1 6% 3 5%
Guardrail 1 3% 1 7% 1 6% 3 5%
Bridge Rail 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Fence 3 9% 0 0% 0 0% 3 5%
Curb or Wall 2 6% 0 0% 1 6% 3 5%
Median Barrier 1 3% 0 0% 0 0% 1 2%
Embankment 1 3% 0 0% 0 0% 1 2%
Other 6 19% 1 7% 0 0% 7 11%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 32 100% 15 100% 16 100% 63 100%
Complied by CDE School Transportation Unit
LOCATION ANALYSIS
Intersection 34 37% 22 37% 26 45% 82 39%
Non-Intersection 59 63% 37 62% 30 52% 126 60%
No Response 0 0% 1 2% 2 3% 3 1%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 58 100% 211 100%
INTERSECTION
DIRECTION ANALYSIS
Vehicle Going Straight 13 38% 11 50% 12 46% 36 44%
Vehicle Turning Right 4 12% 5 23% 3 12% 12 15%
Vehicle Turning Left 9 26% 6 27% 7 27% 22 27%
Vehicle Backing 2 6% 0 0% 1 4% 3 4%
Vehicle Stopped 6 18% 0 0% 3 12% 9 11%
Other Action 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 34 100% 22 100% 26 100% 82 100%
NON-INTERSECTION
DIRECTION ANALYSIS
Vehicle Going Straight 25 42% 24 65% 16 53% 65 52%
Vehicle Turning Right 9 15% 2 5% 2 7% 13 10%
Vehicle Turning Left 11 19% 4 11% 6 20% 21 17%
Vehicle Backing 3 5% 2 5% 2 7% 7 6%
Vehicle Stopped 4 7% 5 14% 2 7% 11 9%
Other Action 7 12% 0 0% 2 7% 9 7%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 59 100% 37 100% 30 100% 126 100%
LOADING/UNLOADING ZONE
School Vehicle was:
Approaching Zone 3 43% 4 36% 3 50% 10 42%
Stopped in Zone 3 43% 5 45% 2 33% 10 42%
Leaving Zone 1 14% 2 18% 1 17% 4 17%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 7 100% 11 100% 6 100% 24 100%
FIRST POINT OF IMPACT
A-Front Right 14 15% 11 18% 12 20% 37 17%
B-Front Center 5 5% 6 10% 4 7% 15 7%
C-Front Left 13 14% 8 13% 5 8% 26 12%
D-Left Side 14 15% 4 7% 6 10% 24 11%
F-Rear Left 11 12% 5 8% 6 10% 22 10%
G-Rear Center 10 11% 4 7% 5 8% 19 9%
H-Rear Right 15 16% 15 25% 9 15% 39 18%
J-Right Side 8 9% 5 8% 6 10% 19 9%
K-Top 0 0% 1 2% 1 2% 2 1%
L-Underside 1 1% 1 2% 2 3% 4 2%
No Response 2 2% 0 0% 3 5% 5 2%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
LANES IN ROADWAY
Two Lane 60 65% 46 77% 32 54% 138 65%
Four Lane Divided 14 15% 9 15% 9 15% 32 15%
Four Lane Undivided 2 2% 0 0% 6 10% 8 4%
Other 17 18% 5 8% 12 20% 34 16%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
ROAD SURFACE TYPE
Paved 82 88% 54 90% 54 92% 190 90%
Unpaved 8 9% 6 10% 5 8% 19 9%
No Response 3 3% 0 0% 0 0% 3 1%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%

CONDITION OF ROAD
Dry 58 62% 37 62% 40 68% 135 64%
Wet 5 5% 5 8% 4 7% 14 7%
Muddy 1 1% 1 2% 0 0% 2 1%
Icy Snow 18 19% 17 28% 15 25% 50 24%
Other 7 8% 0 0% 0 0% 7 3%
No Response 4 4% 0 0% 0 0% 4 2%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
SURFACE DEFECTS
Holes or Ruts 4 4% 2 3% 1 2% 7 3%
Under Construction 1 1% 1 2% 1 2% 3 1%
Other 4 4% 1 2% 1 2% 6 3%
No Defect 84 90% 56 93% 56 95% 196 92%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%

LIGHT CONDITION
Dawn 5 5% 8 13% 3 5% 16 8%
Dusk 4 4% 2 3% 3 5% 9 4%
Dark 6 6% 7 12% 3 5% 16 8%
Daylight 78 84% 43 72% 50 85% 171 81%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Clear 73 78% 48 80% 44 75% 165 78%
Smog 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Snow 16 17% 3 5% 8 14% 27 13%
Dust 0 0% 0 0% 1 2% 1 0%
Fog 0 0% 1 2% 0 0% 1 0%
Sleet/Hail 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Rain 2 2% 4 7% 5 8% 11 5%
Other 1 1% 4 7% 1 2% 6 3%
No Response 1 1% 0 0% 0 0% 1 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
CONDITIONS
DRIVER'S AGE
21 - 30 5 5% 3 5% 2 3% 10 5%
31 - 40 10 11% 5 8% 4 7% 19 9%
41 - 50 23 25% 15 25% 20 34% 58 27%
51 - 60 32 34% 21 35% 16 27% 69 33%
61 - 70 20 22% 14 23% 15 25% 49 23%
70 + 3 3% 2 3% 2 3% 7 3%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
DRIVER'S EXPERIENCE
1 Year or Less 15 16% 4 7% 6 10% 25 12%
1 - 4 Years 39 42% 27 45% 25 42% 91 43%
5 - 9 Years 17 18% 14 23% 15 25% 46 22%
10 - 14 Years 11 12% 7 12% 4 7% 22 10%
15 - 19 Years 5 5% 4 7% 2 3% 11 5%
20 + Years 6 6% 2 3% 5 8% 13 6%
No Response 0 0% 2 3% 2 3% 4 2%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS
IN LAST 3 YEARS
0 Accidents 55 59% 38 63% 42 71% 135 64%
1 Accidents 33 35% 13 22% 12 20% 58 27%
2 Accidents 5 5% 5 8% 3 5% 13 6%
3 Accidents 0 0% 2 3% 2 3% 4 2%
4 Accidents 0 0% 1 2% 0 0% 1 0%
5 + Accidents 0 0% 1 2% 0 0% 1 0%
No Response 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
DRIVER
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent
Number Of Number Of Number Of Number Of
Total Total Total Total
Accidents With Injuries 16 17% 6 10% 8 14% 30 14%
Accidents With Fatalities 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Accidents W/O Injury/fatality 77 83% 54 90% 51 86% 182 86%
Total Accidents 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent
Number Of Number Of Number Of Number Of
Total Total Total Total
Accidents With Injuries 4 4% 12 20% 6 10% 22 10%
Accidents With Fatalities 0 0% 1 2% 0 0% 1 0%
Accidents W/O Injury/fatality 89 96% 47 78% 53 90% 189 89%
Total Accidents 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent
Number Of Number Of Number Of Number Of
Total Total Total Total
Accidents With Injuries 0 0% 1 2% 0 0% 1 0%
Accidents With Fatalities 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Accidents W/O Injury/fatality 93 100% 59 98% 59 100% 211 100%
Total Accidents 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent
Number Of Number Of Number Of Number Of
Total Total Total Total
Accidents With Injuries 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Accidents With Fatalities 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Accidents W/O Injury/fatality 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
Total Accidents 93 100% 60 100% 59 100% 212 100%
INJURY OR FATALITY WHILE UNLOADING
INJURIES/FATALITIES
INJURY OR FATALITY IN SCHOOL VEHICLE
INJURY OR FATALITY IN OTHER VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN
INJURY OR FATALITY WHILE LOADING
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent
Number Of Number Of Number Of Number Of
Total Total Total Total
Serious Injuries 2 5% 1 7% 0 0% 3 4%
Moderate Injuries 4 10% 0 0% 4 16% 8 10%
Minor Injuries 36 86% 13 93% 21 84% 70 86%
Total Injuries 42 100% 14 100% 25 100% 81 100%
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent
Number Of Number Of Number Of Number Of
Total Total Total Total
Serious Injuries 1 20% 3 19% 0 0% 4 14%
Moderate Injuries 2 40% 3 19% 1 14% 6 21%
Minor Injuries 2 40% 10 63% 6 86% 18 64%
Total Injuries 5 100% 16 100% 7 100% 28 100%
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent
Number Of Number Of Number Of Number Of
Total Total Total Total
Serious Injuries 0 0% 1 100% 0 0% 1 100%
Moderate Injuries 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Minor Injuries 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total Injuries 0 0% 1 100% 0 0% 1 100%
Year 7/1/08 - 6/30/09 Year 7/1/09 - 6/30/10 Year 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 All Years
Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent
Number Of Number Of Number Of Number Of
Total Total Total Total
Serious Injuries 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Moderate Injuries 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Minor Injuries 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Total Injuries 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
SUMMARY OF INJURIES INCURRED INSIDE SCHOOL VEHICLE
SUMMARY OF INJURIES INCURRED IN OTHER VEHICLE
SUMMARY OF INJURIES INCURRED WHILE LOADING
SUMMARY OF INJURIES INCURREDWHILE UNLOADING