Stay out of Danger

One of the most important concepts children should learn about bus safety is to avoid the "danger zone," defined by the NHTSA as "the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of not being seen by the driver (ten feet in front of the bus where the driver may be too high to see a child, ten feet on either side of the bus where a child may be in the driver's blind spot, and the area behind the school bus)."

"Eighteen to 24 fatalities a year are called 'school bus-related' fatalities. This is when kids are hit by their own bus or by another vehicle," says Martin. Six to nine of these are violent bus fatalities in which the child is killed by his own bus; the remaining occur when kids are struck by passing motorists.

"Many of the school bus-related fatalities could probably be avoided if students follow the rules about the danger zone," Martin says. "Kids should take at least seven or eight giant steps from the bus, then move four or five steps forward from the bus and wait for a hand signal from the driver to proceed."

Parent Participation

Martin offers four basic guidelines for parents to help children with school bus safety:

• Make sure your child is wearing clothing that does not have drawstrings. If a jacket's drawstring gets caught in handrail or in a bus door, the child can step off the bus, not realize a drawstring is attached, and be dragged.
  
  
• See that whatever backpack or book bag your child is carrying does not contain dangling items or straps that could get caught in the bus handrail or door. Also be mindful of long coats or scarves.
  
  
• Help your children get to the bus at least a couple of minutes early to avoid last minute rushing across or into streets.
  
  
• Lastly, remind kids about the danger zone and review good riding manners (see rules for children). Student behavior management issue is one of the most important safety concerns, says Martin. "[When kids] get on the bus they should take a seat, place their book bags on the floor or in their laps, put their rear ends in the seat, and face forward with their feet on the floor. Not following these rules can cause driver distraction or driver error."
  
  

  School Bus Rules For Children

  Waiting for the Bus
  

  • Arrive at the bus stop a few minutes early.
  • Avoid dangerous horseplay while waiting.
  • Stay out of the danger zone: stand at least seven to eight giant steps (10 feet) from the edge of the road.
  • Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it's okay to board the bus.

    Getting on and off the Bus

    • Watch clothing or backpacks with dangling drawstrings or straps.
    • Never try to retrieve an item dropped near the bus—get out of the danger zone immediately.
    • Be sure the bus driver can see you and you can see him or her.
    • Walk in front of the bus, never behind the bus.
    • Look both ways before crossing the street.
    • If it is dark on the way to or from the bus, wear clothing or carry a book bag with reflective tape.

    Riding on the Bus

    • Obey the bus driver.
    • Stay in your seat and face forward; never stand on a moving bus.
    • Keep noise levels reasonable and do not distract the driver.
    • Do not throw anything on the bus or out the window.
    • Keep head, hands, backpacks, etc. inside the bus.
    
    

    For Further Information on School Bus Safety

    National Association for Pupil Transportation
    (800) 989-NAPT
    
    National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services
    (800) 585-0340
    
    School Bus Information Council
    (toll-free hotline to experts)
    (888) 367-7242
    
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    (202) 366-9550