Happy National School Bus Safety Week, everyone!

Dating back to 1970, when the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) officially launched it, National School Bus Safety Week has helped promote school bus safety throughout the U.S. for nearly six decades. This week brings students, parents, teachers, motorists, school bus drivers, school administrators and community members from school districts nationwide, together to learn more about school bus safety, help educate others and keep our children safe.

According to the NAPT, school buses are some of the safest vehicles on the road — in fact, less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children in school transportation vehicles. The truth is that children are at a much higher risk of being involved in a traffic accident when approaching or leaving a school bus rather than traveling in one. That is why it is essential every motorist understands the law when it comes to stopping for school buses, and every parent and child familiarize themselves with school bus safety tips.

I encourage everyone to review the following tips that my team and I have compiled based on information from the official NAPT website.

#1 - Always Stop for School Buses

It is illegal in every U.S. state for motorists to pass a school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing — these signals indicate the bus is either picking up or dropping off passengers.

Do not attempt to move your vehicle until the bus turns off the flashing lights, withdraws its stop-arm and begins moving again.

#2 - Proper School Bus Stop Safety

At the start of each new school year, review school bus stop safety with your child. Remind them to stand at least ten feet away from the road at all times and remain alert — the bus stop is not a place to play.

When the school bus arrives, your child should pay close attention and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop. Remind them not to approach the bus or board it until it stops, the door opens and the bus driver instructs them to board. Always use the handrails to avoid tripping or falling.

If your child needs to cross the road to board or exit the bus, remind them to never cross the road behind the bus. They should always make eye contact with the bus driver and wait for them to signal when it is safe to cross the road in front of the bus.

#3 - Proper School Bus Safety

When on board the school bus, remind your child to always buckle up and refrain from getting up or moving between seats when the bus is in operation.

This National School Bus Safety Week, let’s keep our kids safe on every ride by practicing caution, following traffic rules and staying alert around buses. Safety starts with all of us! To visit the NAPT website for more information, please click here.