Back-to-school season is right around the corner, and millions of children across the country are about to start riding the school bus every day. Although school buses are considered to be the safest vehicles on the road, there are still further precautions that can be taken to ensure your children are as safe as possible. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind for this upcoming school year:
Safety starts before the bus even arrives. Showing up to the bus stop at least 10 minutes before it comes will help ensure your child does not miss it. While waiting, make certain that your child knows to wait at least six feet from the curb, and to not move any closer. The bus stop is not a place for horseplay and it can be dangerous if your child decides to run around and play.
Your child should never approach the bus until it comes to a complete stop, the door opens and the driver says it’s okay to board. While boarding, it’s important to use the handrails to avoid tripping. If your child must cross the street, they must know to look both ways before crossing, even if the school bus stop sign is in use. This ensures that oncoming traffic has stopped. Even if the stop sign is in use, drivers may not have stopped yet. If your children walk behind the bus or too closely to the front, it can obstruct the bus driver’s view. Walking at least ten feet in front of the bus will ensure the driver can clearly see any children.
Seat belts are a necessity for safety in cars and trucks. However, school buses are built differently. They are heavier than most other vehicles on the road and do not collapse from impact like cars and smaller trucks. This, combined with closely spaced seats with energy-absorbing seat backs, gives protection to passengers, which is why most buses don’t have seatbelts. However, if the bus does have seatbelts, encourage your child to use them.
When it comes to taking the school bus, keeping your children safe means making sure that they wait safely, are cautious while boarding, and are careful during their ride. Remember, safety first!
