Keeping your kids safe on the school bus

Putnam County students will be going back to school in a few weeks. This means the end of summer and an exciting time for both children and parents. Riding a school bus is a safe and convenient way for your child to get to school. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children back and forth to school.

The following graphic illustrates just how much safer your child is on the school bus than riding with a friend or parent. Just 1% of student fatalities during normal school travel hours are school bus related.

The school bus may be the safest way for your child to get to school, but there are still some things to keep in mind to make sure your child is as safe as possible.

Teach your child about school bus safety

At the bus stop

• Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• No running or playing at the bus stop.
• Stay at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb while waiting for the school bus.
• Wait for the driver to open the door and say that it’s safe to board before moving toward the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

On the bus

• Go directly to your seat and sit down, facing forward. Remain in your seat facing forward while the school bus is moving.
• Never stand on the seat.
• Do not stand or leave any items in the aisle or in front of exits.
• Never place your head, arms or any object out the window.
• Always be respectful of the driver and obey his or her instructions.

Crossing the street

• Walk at least five giant steps (10 feet) in front of the bus, make eye contact and wait until he indicates that it’s safe to cross.
• Stop at the edge of the bus, look left-right-left for moving vehicles, and if there is no traffic, cross the street.
• Never walk behind the bus.

Bullying

• Treat others with respect.
• If someone is doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable or is hurting you, tell the driver.

What if your child is injured?

Teaching your child to be safe is a big part of avoiding injury, but sometimes it’s someone else’s negligence that is responsible. A school bus driver may fail to take the proper safety precautions or another driver may fail to stop as required by law when a school bus is loading and unloading children.

Any number of situations can lead to an injury. If you or a loved one may have been the victim of negligent behavior, give Greg Bagen a call or complete the form on this page to take advantage of a free confidential consultation. Once he knows what happened, he can give you the facts about the law that you need to make an informed decision about how to proceed. If you do have a case, he’ll fight to get you the compensation you need to move past this terrible tragedy.

Sources:
http://www.safercar.gov/parents/OnTheMove/chuggington/bus.html
http://www.nhtsa.gov/School-Buses