To ensure safety when driving a school bus, bus drivers need to pay particular attention to which areas?

The focus on the danger zones around the bus is crucial for ensuring the safety of students and other road users. These danger zones are areas where a child is in potential immediate danger if the driver is not vigilant. This includes areas directly in front of and behind the bus, as well as the sides. Children often do not realize the risks, and they may enter these areas unexpectedly, especially when boarding or disembarking. Therefore, a bus driver must be constantly aware and attentive to these specific zones to prevent accidents. This awareness includes checking mirrors and using visual scanning techniques to monitor the environment around the bus.

Other areas, such as the rear and sides, are important but do not encompass the comprehensive safety concerns that the danger zones highlight. Focusing solely on the engine performance, while important for the operation of the bus, does not directly relate to the immediate safety concerns posed by the presence of children around the vehicle.