What should a school bus driver do to ensure safety when unloading students?

Always checking mirrors before unloading is crucial for a school bus driver to ensure safety. This practice allows the driver to be aware of their surroundings, especially for any oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or potential hazards that may pose a risk to students as they exit the bus. By maintaining situational awareness, the driver can make informed decisions about when it is safe to allow students to unload, helping to prevent accidents and ensuring that children can exit the bus safely.

The other choices do not support the safety of the students. Unloading without caution disregards the need for vigilance. Talking to students while unloading could distract the driver and take their focus away from monitoring their surroundings. Leaving the door closed until all are seated doesn't apply in this context, as students need to be safely managed during unloading, not simply kept inside the bus.