Image Courtesy of State Farm
The Kansas State Department of Education has shared a set of safety recommendations with school districts to help educate employees, students, and parents about bus safety. This obviously isn’t uncommon, as most schools share bus safety guides to students and employees near the beginning of the school year, but the guide KSDE shared covers all aspects of bus safety, rather than just those for students.
KSDE says students are eight times safer riding in a bus compared to a car, but the majority of accidents involving school buses happen during loading and unloading. Hence, much of the guide focuses on safety practices for boarding school buses, but it also covers safety tips for their drivers and other suggestions parents may find useful. Below you will find the tips the agency provided:
Boarding the Bus
- While waiting for the bus, students should stay off the road and away from traffic.
- Before approaching the bus, wait until it has completely stopped and the door has opened.
- Those who have to cross in front of the bus to board should keep eye contact with the bus driver and always walk in front of, never behind, the vehicle.
- Never go near the rear wheels of the bus.
- Use the handrail when stepping onto the bus.
- After boarding, quickly find a seat and sit down to minimize distractions for the driver.
Exiting the Bus
- When the bus pulls up, wait until it has stopped completely before standing.
- After exiting the bus, take at least three steps away to clear the bus as it drives away.
- When crossing in front of the bus, the driver must be able to see the students.
- Never turn back to get something left on the bus, as the driver may not see the student before pulling away.
- Never try to retrieve something dropped unless the bus driver is notified first.
- Only get off at the designated stop. Students must have a note from a parent or guardian if they are getting off at any other stop.
Motorists Encountering School Buses
- When yellow lights are flashing on a bus, it is warning to motorists the bus is about to stop.
- Motorists must stop a minimum of 20 feet from the bus’ bumper.
- If the bus stop arm is extended with red lights flashing, all motorists on the roadway must stop. In the case of a road that is divided by a median or barrier, only cars traveling the same direction as the bus must stop.
- Be alert for children. They can be unpredictable and often comfortable with their surroundings when exiting the bus, making them more susceptible to risks and carelessness.
Tips for Parents
- Remain educated and updated on rules and safety concerns surrounding school buses. Frequently review safety tips with children.
- Know and enlist other parents and help each other monitor bus stops and routes; don’t hesitate to take any concerns to the school district.
- Get to know the bus driver and keep phone numbers handy in case of a delay or emergency.
