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                                     School Bus Safety Tips

Back to school means back on the bus for many children travelling to and from school.

School bus transportation is safe. In fact, buses are safer than cars. Even so, last year, over 20 students were killed and another 9,000 were injured in incidents involving school buses.

More often than not, these deaths and injuries didn’t occur in a crash, but as the kids were entering and exiting the bus.

Remember these safety tips:

1. Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street. 
   
   
2. Teach children to arrive at the bus stop early.
   
   
3. Teach kids to stay out of the street (3 giant steps from the curb) while waiting for the bus.
   
   
4. Teach kids to stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals them to enter.
   
   
5. Remind your children to stay seated at all times and keep their heads and arms inside the bus while riding.
   
   
6. If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus.
   
   
7. When exiting the bus, children should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, exit from the front using the handrail to avoid falls and cross the street at least 10 feet (or 10 giant steps) in front of the bus.
   
   
8. Tell your child not to bend down in front of the bus to tie shoes or pick up objects, as the driver may not see him before starting to move.
   
   
9. Never walk behind the school bus.