SCHOOLBUS SAFETY

To Students:
Get to the school bus stop five minutes early, so you won’t have to run across the road to catch the bus.

When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. Line up at least five giant steps away from the the roadway to wait for the bus.

Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.

Never push when getting on or off of the school bus.

Always walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so that the school bus driver can see you.

Be aware – Cross with Care! Wait until the school bus has stopped all traffic before stepping out onto the road.

When the school bus is moving, always stay in your seat. Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window.

Talk quietly; do not distract your school bus driver.

If your school bus crosses railroad tracks, be calm and quiet so that your driver can listen for a train. Always obey your school bus driver’s instructions, so that he or she can make safe decisions.

Never play with the emergency exits. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

When getting off of the school bus, make sure that all drawstrings and other loose objects are secure so that they don’t get caught on the handrail or the door.

If you leave something on the bus or drop something outside of the bus, never go back for it. The driver may not see you and begin moving the bus.

Stay away from danger zones around the bus. The blind spots where drivers cannot see. Always be sure you can see the driver that means the driver can see you.

Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger.

TO PARENTS:

Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won't drop things along the way.

Have them wear bright, contrasting colors so that they will be more easily seen by drivers. Better still, attach a piece of high visibility fluorescent and reflective material to their clothing or backpack.

Make sure they leave home on time so that they can walk to the bus stop and arrive before the bus is due. Running can be dangerous.

Teach your children to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the school bus as they are exiting.

Warn children that if they drop something near the bus they should never ever pick it up. Instead, they should tell the bus driver and follow the driver's directions. If they bend over to pick up a dropped object, they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the bus pulls away from the stop.

Go to the bus stop with a young child and have older children walk in groups. There's safety in numbers because groups are easier for drivers to see.

If you decide to meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children can get so excited at seeing you after school they might forget safety rules and dash across the street.