Safety & The Big Yellow Bus
Kids School Bus Safety
Riding the school bus can be a new and exciting experience for many children. In most cases, it’s the first time children have traveled on their own, away from the watchful eyes of their parents. That’s good, because it helps kids gain a sense of independence as they learn to act safely and responsibly. To make the trip as safe as possible, learn about school-bus safety — and teach your children, too.
School Buses Are Safer Than Your Car
School buses are an extremely safe form of transportation, about 30 times safer than
passenger cars. However, accidents do happen. According to a 1996 study by the American
Academy of Pediatrics, the majority of accidents occur outside the bus, where children can
be struck by the bus or by motorists illegally passing the bus.
The Danger Zone
All school buses are surrounded by a ten-foot area known as the Danger Zone. In this area,
it can be difficult for the driver to see, especially small children. The most dangerous
parts of the Danger Zone are immediately in front of the bus and from in front of the rear
wheels back to the rear of the bus.
Multiple side-view and crossover mirrors, flat-nosed buses, and crossing-control arms all help increase the driver’s field of vision and add to the safety of the children. Crossing-control arms are 6-foot gates, attached to the front bumper of the bus, that are designed to keep children far enough in front of the bus for them to be seen by the driver while they cross the street. The most effective safety measure, however, is for you to teach your children how to avoid the Danger Zone. One rule of thumb is, if the children can see the bus driver the bus driver can see them. Also see Teach Your Children Well, below.
Let the Driver Drive!
School-bus drivers are trained professionals with a very demanding task. The driver must
pay attention to constantly changing traffic conditions, the children on the bus, the
children entering and exiting the bus at each bus stop, and the schedule the bus is on.
Teach your children to behave responsibly on the bus to help make the ride safer.
Give Kids a Break!
In your own vehicle, recognize YOUR responsibility when you approach a stopped school bus:
Come to a complete stop, watch for children near the road, and don’t pass the bus
while it’s stopped.
LITTLE EGG HARBOR BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY IS THAT ALL PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS MUST BE MET BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN AT THE BUS STOP.
Plan for When You're Not There
You or a caregiver should be at the bus stop or at home when your child gets off the bus.
If that’s not possible, make sure your child knows exactly what to do — continue
straight home, wait for you, call someone, go to a neighbor’s house, or whatever
you’ve arranged beforehand.
And once again, be sure your children understand to whom they should and shouldn’t talk when they’re on their own.
Clothes That Keep Out the Cold – and Out of the Way!
Remember to make sure that your child wears the right gear for walking to and from bus stops in bad weather. But to make sure that the clothing your child wears won’t get caught anywhere on the bus:
Have children wear outer garments that have no drawstrings, toggles, straps, sashes, or belts that hang loosely.
Avoid loose-fitting coats and capes, and oversize or baggy clothing. Purchase backpacks that fit snugly against your child’s body.
Teach Your Children Well If your child is new to riding the bus, or if you’re not sure he/she knows the safety rules discussed in this article, walk him/her through the steps. Teach him/her how to get to and from the bus stop as well as on and off the bus; also explain what’s expected of him/her as they ride the bus.
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This article is part of the Kids SAFE & SOUND™ Guide. We have the complete Guide online at Parenthood.com under school safety.
