Safety is Number 1
The most important aspect of our business is Safety. Our safety record provides
the foundation for our success. Through a combination of training and safety
review initiatives, we are able to provide support to our drivers on a daily
basis.
Initiatives such as:
Safety/Training Officer
Our full time Safety/Training Officer heads up a team of staff who are focused
on all aspects of safety, including driver training, driver education and
customer safety education.
Signing Authority
Three of our safety team members are authorized by the Ministry of Transportation
Licensing Branch to test, re-test and upgrade our driver’s licences.
Driver Eligibility
Prior to hiring, all potential candidates have to:
• pass an interview with the division manager,
• pass a reference check,
• pass police clearance procedures ( criminal check ),
• pass a medical,
• pass a T.B. test,
• pass a current driving licence check.
Driver Reviews
Drivers are reviewed on a regular basis, both formally and during spot checks.
Priority is placed on safety issues, driving habits, presentation and interaction
with customers.
Driver Training
Company wide group meetings are held on a regular basis designed specifically
to upgrade drivers' skills, covering topics such as winter driving, defensive
driving, accident prevention and rider evacuation.
Driver Workshops
Small groups of drivers discuss broader topics such as dealing with riders
with life threatening allergies, race relations and anger management.
Safety Awards Program
Our in-house safety awards program provides for annual recognition of all
drivers who achieve or maintain an accident free record. The program is also
recognized throughout the bus industry, and by the end of 2003 our drivers
had amassed over 2100 years of safe driving.
Accident Review Process
In the unfortunate event of an accident, our accident review committee, which
is made up of staff and drivers, review the accident and if necessary, make
recommendations to upgrade training methods to avoid similar accidents in
the future.
Video Library
A video library (which covers 18 safety related topics) is available to all
drivers.
Photo I.D.
All our drivers wear a photo identification badge when on duty (where required).
Crossing Gates/Child Alert
All of our large school buses are fitted with crossing gates and the Child
Alert alarm system. Child Alert Alarm is a system that has been designed specifically
to ensure drivers check their buses after the completion of each trip. This
serves as an aid in the detection of sleeping children.
First Aid
All our drivers are trained in First Aid and Heart Saver CPR (where required).
O.P.P Partnership
Parkview has teamed up with the Ontario Provincial Police in a unique community
awareness partnership. We have donated a school bus that has been converted
into a mobile classroom. The O.P.P. will use this vehicle to visit local communities
to promote awareness in road, property and personal safety. Parkview will
be using the bus to visit schools to promote safety for school buses passengers.
Safety Awards
Parkview is proud of the following achievements:
Transportation Safety Association achievement award,
Placed 1st and 2nd in Southern Ontario School Bus Driving Championships,
Workplace Safety & Insurance Board below average accident achievement
award (6 consecutive years ).
Industry Memberships
To further enhance our emphasis on safety, we are very active members in the
following groups and associations.
• Transportation Safety Association of Ontario
• Council of School Bus Driver Trainers
• Ontario Safety League
• Ontario School Bus Association
• Sponsor of The New Tecumseth Road Watch program