Keep Safety First on the School Bus

As summer’s days fade to autumn, cumbersome school buses, active youngsters, and poor light conditions combine at bus stops to increase the chances of an accident. A few precautions followed by youngsters, parents, and drivers will help reduce the hazards, according to a North Dakota State University safety specialist.

"Every year, school bus drivers receive training to improve their degree of skill and caution. Students need to do their part also, in being cautious and careful," notes George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service.

Maher says the top precaution for children is to stay out of the loading zone while waiting for the bus. That allows the bus driver to see them while allowing plenty of room for to maneuver the bus.

Making children visible is a key, Maher says. "The visibility of children can be improved with bright colored clothing and reflective appliques. Without these, children may not be easily seen in the dusky, pre-dawn hours. Designating a well lighted area for the bus pickup point is another safe practice effort. It should be close to the yard light for enhanced visibility."

Horseplay and rough-housing are common, but dangerous, bus stop activities. "Those who are rough-housing at the bus stop create an unpredictable situation for bus drivers," he says.

Riders should wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop and the door opened before entering the loading zone. Students should not cross the road in front of the school bus until it has come to a complete stop, and then when the stop sign is extended and the driver has signaled for them to cross.

A single line of students should be formed -- with no pushing or shoving before boarding the bus, Maher says. Students should not push or shove while boarding the bus; they should go right to their seat. It is much too easy for a child to get hurt while attempting to board the bus while rough-housing.

Maher offers some additional safety practices:

• Stay in your seat whenever the bus is moving or when other students are getting on or off.
• Do not distract the bus driver with long conversations.
• Keep the volume down on personal radios and cassette/CD players so that you can hear instructions from the bus driver..
• Go directly to the other bus when transferring.
• Leave the unloading zone right after getting off the bus so the driver can see you.
• Don’t push when getting on or off the bus.
• Don't throw things at other students or out the windows.
• Set a good example for younger children and be patient with them.

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu