Although fuel prices have dipped significantly in the past few months, it’s still wise to review fuel-saving tips with your bus drivers. The following tips from the Society of Automotive Engineers will help your fleet vehicles increase their mileage: 1. Get into high gear as soon as possible with automatic transmissions. 2. Keep light, steady pressure on the gas pedal when accelerating. 3. Avoid sudden stops at lights or stop signs. 4. Merge smoothly without interrupting your momentum. 5. Keep tires inflated to recommended pressure. Telling a story can be an effective tool Drivers who want their youngest passengers to absorb their advice about the dangers of misbehavior might want to tell them a story instead of spouting the usual advice on bus-riding rules. For example, to a child who fails to wait for the driver to signal him safely across the street, the driver might want to tell the sad story of a youngster who was injured by a passing motorist. To a child who doesn’t return to the bus on time during a field trip, the driver might want to tell a story about a student who was left behind and had to be picked up by his parents. To a child who doesn’t sit down during the ride, the driver might want to tell a story about a girl who was severely injured in a crash because she was standing up. The stories don’t have to be “true,” but they should be based on truth.