Will your Mini Macaronis be riding the school bus for the first time this year? Even if they are a seasoned bus rider, now is a great time to review some basic safety tips for the upcoming year.
If you have an older child who will be driving themselves to school, encourage them to look at the school bus safety tips for drivers - and they are a good reminder to us as parents, too!
TIPS FOR KIDS
Teach your children to:
- Walk, not run to/from the bus stop and to use sidewalks whenever possible.
- Take 10 giant steps before crossing in front of a school bus.
- Never reach for any items dropped underneath the bus or to run back across the road for anything left on the bus.
- Follow the same rules on the bus as in your vehicle: stay seated, no loud yelling or horseplay and to listen to the driver.
- Be aware of the emergency exits on the school bus.
- Never get in a car with a stranger who offers them a ride home from the bus stop.
- To look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT before crossing any streets.
- To use sidewalks whenever possible, or to walk facing traffic when there are no sidewalks.
- To always obey school crossing guards.
TIPS FOR MOTORISTS
- Use extra caution when traveling during peak school bus times like early morning and mid-afternoon.
- Allow an extra cushion when following a school bus to allow for sudden or unexpected stops.
- If you encounter a bus loading or unloading students, make sure everyone has reached the sidewalk before you continue.
- Avoid distractions like cell phones that take your eyes away from the road.
- Know your state's school bus safety laws regarding stopping for and passing a school bus.
For more information on school bus safety, visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for great resources, including downloadable activity books featuring Chuggington for young children.
