RALEIGH, N.C. -- The State Board of Education has approved a system that requires bus drivers to use hand signals to help students safely board their buses.
The Board approved the policy in its monthly meeting Thursday morning. The policy, which will be required for all North Carolina school districts, will go into effect in January, though school districts can choose to implement the changes before then.
The driver will first give a stop signal - an open hand - to tell the student not to cross the street. Next, the driver will give the student a thumbs-up to let them know the road is safe. Finally, the driver will have to extend their index finger, while continuing to hold up their thumb, to the let the student know all cars have stopped, and it's safe to cross.
Some school district will also practice a second new policy during the upcoming school year.
School districts across the state have adopted a "three-position switch" system on their buses. Most buses currently have two switches that control the bus' lights, stop arm, crossing arm, and door.
The third switch would allow the driver to control the crossing arm and door separately. That way, the driver can make sure all cars in the area have stopped, and it's safe for the student to get on or off the bus, before they open the door.
The switch system is not required for all school districts. Individual counties can decide to practice the new policy.
Guilford and Chatham County Schools were part of a switch system pilot program during the 2014-2015 school year.
Right now, 100 of Guilford County's 610 school buses are equipped with the third switch. GCS officials say they hope to add the third switch to all buses over the next few years.
Derek Graham, with the state Department of Public Instruction, told WFMY News 2 all Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School buses will be equipped with the third switch for the 2015-2016 school year.
Some Guilford County bus drivers also started using the new hand signals last school year.
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