It’s National School Bus Safety Week, Sandites! 🚌

Each school day, millions of students ride the bus to school. While the bus is one of the safest forms of transportation, it’s important for all drivers, parents, and children to understand school bus safety. Please review the safety reminders below from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Safety Reminders for Motorists

• In every state, it is illegal for motorists to pass a school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing.

• Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

• Motorists may begin moving only when the red flashing lights are turned off, the stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move.

• Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results.

• The greatest risk to a child isn’t riding a school bus, but approaching or leaving one. That’s why, as a vehicle driver, it is especially important to pay attention. Students’ lives are on the line.

• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops.

• Don’t drive distracted. Be alert. Children arriving for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

• Watch out for young people who may be distracted and not paying attention to the traffic around them.

Safety Reminders for Parents and Guardians

• Arrive at the bus stop ten minutes early.

• Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.

• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.

• Be careful that clothing with drawstrings, book bags with straps, or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.

• Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus. Make sure to watch for the driver’s hand signal before crossing the street.

• Be sure the bus driver can always see you, and you can see the bus driver.

• Before crossing the street, stop and look left, then right, then left again before crossing.

For more information on School Bus Safety, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety.