By Hannah Barber,
As a parent, your child’s safety around school buses is a top priority. Modern school buses feature numerous safety enhancements, including flashing lights, stop arms, and sturdy construction, which make them one of the safest transportation options available. School bus drivers receive comprehensive training to operate these vehicles safely, and routine maintenance ensures they remain in top condition. Despite these safety measures, your child’s behavior and your guidance play a crucial role. Teaching your child safe habits and remaining vigilant can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and help ensure they arrive safely both to and from school.
When driving near school zones or bus stops, keep these important rules in mind: Yellow flashing lights signal that the bus is preparing to stop, so slow down and be ready to stop your vehicle. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms signal that the bus has stopped to load or unload children; your vehicle must come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing, the stop arm is retracted, and the bus starts moving again. Even when the lights are not flashing, stay alert for children, especially during busy times like morning and afternoon arrivals and dismissals, as they may be crossing streets or walking nearby. Always reduce your speed in these areas and be prepared to stop to keep children safe, whether you are backing out of a driveway, driving through a neighborhood, or approaching a school zone.
It is equally important to talk openly with your children about bus safety. Teach them to arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early and to stay at least ten feet, about five giant steps—away from the curb. Reinforce that they should wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and for the driver’s signal before boarding. Once on the bus, they should face forward and find a seat promptly, remaining seated throughout the ride. When leaving, children should only exit after the bus has stopped, and they should always look left, right, and left again for traffic before crossing the street. Remind them to hold the handrail when boarding or disembarking, stay calm, and be attentive. Consistent communication, setting clear safety rules, and modeling responsible behavior are key to helping your child stay safe around school buses and on the way to school.
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