When picking up students at a bus stop, when should you back up the bus?

When picking up students at a bus stop, backing up the bus should only occur once all students have boarded the bus. The primary concern when operating a school bus is the safety of the children. Keeping the bus in a stable, secure position while students are boarding ensures that the driver can maintain visibility and awareness of the surroundings.

Backing up the bus while students are still present, for instance, poses a significant safety risk as it creates potential hazards for children who may not be seen by the driver. This practice could lead to dangerous situations, such as accidents if a child is behind the bus when it begins to reverse.

By waiting until all students have boarded before backing up, the driver helps ensure that no children are in harm's way, thus adhering to safety protocols designed to protect students during the crucial moments of boarding and disembarking from the bus.