School Bus Safety Week Tips to Share with Your Kids
School Bus Safety Week is held annually during the third week of October. It is a time to remind parents, students, and drivers about the importance of school bus safety. While school buses are one of the safest ways for children to get to and from school, it’s important to remember that accidents can still happen. That’s why it’s so important for everyone to be aware of school bus safety rules and to follow them carefully.
In this blog, the Kansas personal injury lawyers at Patterson Legal Group explain why this week is so important and offer some school bus safety tips for kids, parents, and drivers.
Bus Accidents by the Numbers
Here are a few statistics related to school bus accidents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- From 2011 to 2020, there were 1,009 fatalities related to school transportation vehicles.
- 52% of school-age pedestrians killed in school transportation related crashes were 5- to
- 10-years-old.
- 70% of the fatalities in school-transportation-related crashes were in the other vehicles involved.
- Pedestrians were 1.6 times more likely to be killed in school-transportation-related crashes than occupants of school transportation vehicles.
School Bus Safety Week Tips
School buses are one of the safest ways for kids to get to and from school, but there are still some important safety tips that everyone should know to help prevent accidents and injuries. Here are some tips for kids, parents, and drivers.
Tips for Kids
- Arrive early: get to the bus stop a few minutes before the scheduled pick-up time, as rushing can lead to accidents.
- Stay in line: while waiting for the bus, line up a safe distance from the edge of the road and wait patiently. Avoid running around or playing near traffic.
- Be respectful: when on the bus, follow the bus driver’s instructions. Be courteous to fellow passengers and keep noise levels at a reasonable volume in order to not distract the driver.
- Stay seated: while the bus is moving, stay seated. Don’t change seats or move around, as this can distract the driver.
- Keep aisles clear: don’t block the aisles with backpacks or other items. Keeping them clear ensures a safe evacuation path in emergencies. This can also help prevent other passengers from tripping and falling.
Tips for Parents
- Teach safety rules: before your child starts riding the school bus, make sure they know and understand the rules of safe bus riding, including standing back from the road while waiting and staying seated on the bus.
- Supervise younger children: if your child is in kindergarten or elementary school, it’s a good idea to accompany them to the bus stop and wait with them.
- Establish a routine: have a consistent daily routine, including a set time to arrive at the bus stop. This will both help teach your kids good habits and will teach them the flow of traffic during that time of day so they know what to expect while waiting for the bus.
- Discuss emergency procedures: talk to your child about what to do in case of an emergency, such as safely exiting the bus and finding an adult. Additionally, make sure your child knows they can tell an adult if they feel unsafe on the bus.
- Be alert: when picking up or dropping off your child at the bus stop, always be vigilant for oncoming traffic. Make sure your kids know to wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before approaching it.
Tips for Drivers
- Follow traffic laws: obey traffic laws, especially when a school bus displays its flashing red lights and stop sign. Always come to a complete stop and wait until the lights stop flashing. Note that fines are often doubled in school zones.
- Maintain a safe distance: keep a safe following distance when behind a school bus. This allows ample space for children to enter and exit safely.
- Watch for children: children can be unpredictable and can run in front of your car without warning. During the school year, be extra cautious in residential areas and near schools.
- Never pass a stopped bus: passing a stopped school bus is not only illegal but is extremely dangerous. Wait until the bus resumes motion or turns off its flashing lights.
- Stay Alert: avoid distractions while driving, especially near school zones or bus stops. A moment of inattention can quickly lead to a deadly accident.
Contact a School Bus Accident Lawyer
School Bus Safety Week serves as an important reminder for everyone on the importance of practicing safe behavior around school buses. In order to prevent school bus accidents, everyone on the road must work together to keep children and other drivers safe.
School bus accidents can happen to anyone, even if you and your children are being careful. Others may not be as cautious, and that’s when accidents occur. If you or a loved one have been injured in a school bus accident due to the negligence or recklessness of another, a Kansas school bus accident lawyer from Patterson Legal Group can help.
Patterson Legal Group has more than 75 years of combined experience successfully representing injury victims in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. We have a track record of winning superior settlements for our clients. Our firm offers free consultations and works on a “no win, no fee” basis, which means that you do not pay a dime unless money has been recovered on your behalf.
To get started on your free consultation, call us 24/7 at (888) 687-2400. You can also fill out this contact form or reach out via LiveChat.
