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School Bus Safety
Newport News Transportation Safety Commission's tips on school bus safety
School buses transport our most cherished passengers: children. As parents and caregivers, we must remember to teach our children proper bus etiquette and proper behavior at the bus stop. As motorists, we must always be aware that there are children everywhere waiting for school buses.
- Remember, when you see the flashing red lights and the stop bar, you must stop and allow children to get on or off the bus. Here are some other tips to remember:
- School buses are one of the safest vehicles on the road.
- Most school bus incidents happen off the bus, not on the bus.
- If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
- When the bus approaches, stand at least five giant steps (10 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
- School buses don't have seat belts in them because they have a built-in occupant protection system known as "compartmentalization," which is a system of seat height, seat length and padding, among other requirements. Compartmentalization is like an egg carton protecting a child.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY FOR STUDENTS
In order to maintain a safe, orderly environment on the bus and at the bus stop, students are expected to observe the following School Bus Safety Rules:
- FOLLOW THE DRIVER'S INSTRUCTIONS
School buses are just like classrooms: the adult is in charge. In the classroom, it's the teacher; on the bus, it's the driver.
- STAY OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE
The area around a school bus is called the Danger Zone.
- REMAIN SEATED, FACING FORWARD
School bus seats are specially designed to protect passengers. They can only be effective if riders always face the front and stay in their seats until the driver tells them to stand up and exit.
- KEEP HANDS, FEET AND OBJECTS TO YOURSELF
On the bus, inappropriate behavior like fighting, pushing, horse-play or throwing something might distract the driver and cause an accident. Students must keep all parts of their body inside the bus where it's safe, and never throw anything out the window.
- BE POLITE AND TALK QUIETLY
Everybody on the bus, including the driver, has the right to a safe, orderly environment, so students need to use good manners and talk quietly only to the riders in the same seat with them, using acceptable language and gestures.
