How to stay out of the school bus danger zone
Getting on and off a school bus can be dangerous for children as they are so close to cars that they could cause an accident. By leading by example and teaching your children these simple safety tips, you can help reduce the risk of your children being injured by the school bus or other vehicles.
1) Go to the bus stop 5 minutes in advance. It can be very dangerous if your child decides to run towards the bus stop as serious injury can result.
At the bus stop, be sure to stand at least 10 feet from the road. This equates to about five giant steps for children. This ensures that the bus driver can see them and that they are out of the roadway.
3) Do not board the bus before instructed to do so by the bus driver. Make sure the bus is completely stopped, the door is open, and the bus driver tells you it is okay to enter before approaching the bus.
4) Cross the street safely. Look both ways for oncoming traffic and cross the street at least 10 feet in front of the bus so you can be seen. Also, look both ways before exiting the bus to make sure all cars have stopped arriving.
5) Make sure the driver sees you. Even if you can see the bus driver, he may not be able to see you. If you always stay at least 10 feet away from any vehicle, you are considered to be out of the “Danger Zone”.
6) Use handrails. Hold on to the handrails so you don’t slip and fall. Loose ropes, backpack straps, or anything dangling could get caught in the handrails and cause an accident, so make sure everything is stowed away.
7) When you are at the side of the bus, make sure you are ten feet away. Again, this keeps you out of the “Danger Zone” and in the driver’s view.
8) If you drop something near the bus, do not try to retrieve it. Let the bus driver know you dropped something and ask if it’s okay if he comes to pick it up. This ensures that the bus driver does not walk away while you are not on the bus or too close.
9) DO NOT walk behind the bus. The bus driver probably won’t see you, which could cause a devastating accident.
After boarding the bus, get into your seat as quickly as possible. As a result, all children will have ample time to safely board the bus, reducing the likelihood of an accident.
