Young School Bus Riders Need Safety Tips

Last month I talked about safety for young pedestrians walking to and from school. This month I want to talk about safety for kids who ride the bus to school. As a driver you should know when to stop for a school bus, but you should also talk to the children and grandchildren in your life about how they can be safe bus riders. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are extremely safe vehicles. Their visibility, size, weight, and the way they distribute crash forces all combine to make fatalities extremely rare. The more significant dangers come when kids are waiting for the bus, and getting on and off it.

Walking to the bus stop alone for the first time can be a step toward a child’s independence, but it is also a good time to remind them about personal safety. Be sure they know the number of the bus, the name of the driver, and the location where they’ll be dropped off at the end of the day. Have a plan in place for what to do if they miss the bus, or if the bus doesn’t show up. Kids should never talk to strangers at the bus stop, and they should never accept a ride from anyone. It’s a good idea for families to have a secret code word that a friend could provide if a parent authorizes them to pick the child up. 

Kids should remember that buses are big and have a lot of blind spots, so they need to always act as if the bus driver might not see them. When they are waiting for the bus, they should arrive a little early so they are in place and more easily seen. If a child is dashing up to catch the bus at the last minute they are more at risk of being hit by a car or the bus itself. Make sure kids arrive at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to come, and then wait at a safe distance from the road. For younger children, parents should stay with them if possible. 

When the bus comes, children should not approach it until it has come to a complete stop, activated its flashing lights, and deployed its stop arms. Then they should wait until the driver opens the door and signals that it is safe to board. If kids are approaching the bus from the other side of the street, they should wait until all vehicles have stopped, then look left, right, and left again. The driver might signal them when it is safe to cross, but they should always check for themselves too.

Remind children that just because they can see the bus doesn’t mean the bus driver can see them. Kids should walk 10-12 feet in front of a bus to make sure they are well within the driver’s line of sight. They shouldn’t walk close to the back of the bus, and they should stay away from the tires too. Whether on foot, bike, skateboard, or at any time, kids should think about where they will land if they fall. They should keep their distance to make sure they can’t fall in the path of a vehicle or under the bus tires. 

I’ve talked a lot about the dangers of distracted driving. Parents can easily be distracted by kids roughhousing in the backseat. Imagine how distracted a school bus driver could be from 40 or more unruly kids behind them, screaming, throwing things, or walking in the aisles. Once on board, kids should immediately sit down, put on their seat belt if there is one, keep the aisle clear, and keep noise to a minimum. Young riders should be completely quiet when a bus driver stops at a railroad crossing.

Back to school time is an exciting period for children, but don’t let their excitement make them careless of potential danger as they ride the bus.