Back to School

While school buses are, by far, the safest way for students to travel, children need to do their part to stay alert and aware of their surroundings to prevent injury. National Safety Council urges parents to teach their children the following safety rules for getting on and off the bus, and for exercising good behavior while riding.

Getting on the Bus:

When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness
Do not stray onto the street, alleys or private property
Line up away from the street or road as the bus approaches
Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before approaching the bus
Use the handrail when boarding

Behavior on the Bus:

Don’t speak loudly or make loud noises that could distract the driver
Stay in your seat
Don’t put your head, arms or hands out the window
Keep aisles clear of books and bags
Get your belongings together before reaching your stop
Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat

Getting Off the Bus:

Use the handrail when exiting
If you have to cross in front of the bus, first walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the driver
Make sure the driver can see you
Wait for a signal from the driver before crossing
When the driver signals, look left, right, then left again. Walk across the road and keep an eye out for sudden traffic changes
If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see other drivers and they can see you
Do not cross the center line of the road until the driver signals it is safe
Stay away from the rear wheels of the bus at all times

Things get a little crazy on the roads during the school year: Buses are everywhere, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work.

It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.

If you are Dropping Off your child:

Don’t double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
Don’t load or unload children across the street from the school
Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school

According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they’re walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:

Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic
In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

School Bus Safety Tips

Getting on the Bus:

Behavior on the Bus:

Getting Off the Bus:

Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road

The First Day for Schools in the Area is Tuesday, September 1, 2015.