School Bus Safety Smarts

By jyoti

• If your children get to school by bus, have them at the bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled bus time.

• Help your child learn and practice the basic safety rules.

• Be a good role model, especially when you are with your children. Always follow traffic rules and signals.

• Supervise young children walking or biking to school or as they wait at the school bus stop.

• Walk your child to the bus stop and have children walk in groups, as groups are easier for drivers to see.

• Teach your child the simple rules of getting on and off the bus and riding the bus.

• Make sure the child stands at least 10 feet from the road while waiting for the bus.

• Never allow your child to play running games or push and shove with other children at the bus stop.

• Instruct your child not to act rowdy in the bus. Also, they should talk softly, so that they don’t distract the driver.

• Children should stay seated during the entire bus ride and keep the aisles clear.

• When you go to pickup your child after school, make sure you wait on the side where he will be dropped and not across the road, as children get quite excited at seeing their parents and may dash across the street to meet you.

• When getting down the bus, ensure that the children form a queue and don’t push other children to get down first.

• As a parent, school authority or a general citizen, if you notice any rash or negligent driving by the bus driver, report it immediately to the school authorities.