Teaching Children School Bus Safety

Posted in Accident & Injury on October 18, 2021

October 18-22, 2021, is School Bus Safety Week. Every day, more than 25 million children ride the bus to and from school. While this week focuses on sharing the road with school buses, it is important to touch on how to teach children about being safe while going to school.

Tips for Parents

• Practice makes perfect.
  • Go over bus procedures with your child so they know how to safely get on and off the bus.

• Never walk behind the school bus.
  • While people may believe this to be a safe option, it can be very dangerous, especially for small children. Bus drivers may not see a child, which could result in them getting hit by the bus driver or passing cars.

• Watch children at the bus stop.
  • As a parent, the child’s safety is a priority. Maintaining eyes on them while at the bus stop will allow you to make sure they’re getting on and off the bus safely.

• Follow safety laws in your vehicle
  • Whether driving behind a bus or dropping a child at school, follow safety protocol to avoid accidents. Most school buses can carry 60+ passengers on board, and getting into an accident with one could leave many children injured.

Tips for Bus Drivers

• Young Children
  • Create a seating chart.
    • Riding the bus can be intimidating for young children, so creating a routine can eliminate confusion. Consider making a seating chart to ensure kids know their seats to maintain a quick loading and unloading at each destination.
  • Remind them about safety rules.
    • Talk to the younger children and remind them how to get on and off the bus safely correctly.
  • Keep your cool.
    • Avoid getting upset if they don’t immediately remember. Not every child will do everything perfectly the first time around.

• Older Children
  • Remind them about safety rules inside the bus.
    • As children grow up, it is crucial to reiterate safety rules. A bus driver has the responsibility to arrive quickly and safely to school and home.
      • Children should avoid being too loud, sitting in the aisle, standing up, etc.
    • Separate problematic students.
      • If a group of students isn’t following the rules, a bus driver has the authority to separate them. By putting them by the driver’s seat, the problem could be eliminated.
    • Remind them about safety rules outside the bus.
      • Make sure they are still following safety procedures when getting on and off the bus. Things can still happen even as they get older, and not following the precautions could result in injury.

What Children Need to Know

• Getting on the bus
  • Arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes early.
  • Stand three giant steps away from the curb.
  • Do not approach the bus until the bus driver says it’s okay.
  • Use handrails to avoid tripping and falling on the steps.
  • Go directly to your seat and make sure everything is out of the aisle.

• Getting off the bus
  • Be aware when the bus is approaching your house.
  • Gather your belongings to exit the bus quickly.
  • Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
  • When crossing the street, take five steps in front of the bus or until you can see the bus driver.