This year’s National School Bus Safety Week (NSBSW) takes place October 18-22, 2021. The Northeast Florida Community Traffic Safety Program is highlighting school bus safety tips and information to share. Please join us in advocating for school bus safety to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our roadways.
Every year, approximately 440,000 public school buses travel more than 4 billion miles and daily transport 24 million children to and from schools and school-related activities. School buses account for an estimated 10 billion student trips each year.*
Also in honor of National School Bus Safety Week, we would like to thank all bus drivers and also acknowledge the shortage in our local communities. We appreciate everyone working together to make sure children get to school and back home safely.
School Bus Safety Rules for Drivers
- Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state.
- Be sure to acquaint yourself with the flashing light system that school bus drivers use to alert motorists.
- Yellow flashing lights mean that the school bus is preparing to stop. Motorists should slow down and be ready to stop their vehicles.
- Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate that the school bus has stopped, and children are boarding or exiting.
- Two-lane road: all vehicles in both directions must stop.
- On a divided highway with a raised median, unpaved space, or a physical barrier of at least five feet: vehicles traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.
- Divided highway where no median or barrier exists: all vehicles are mandated to stop.
School Bus Safety Reminders for Students
- Arrive early.
- Don’t push or cut in line.
- Stay out of the “danger zone,” 10 steps away from the bus.
- Wait for the bus driver to open the door before trying to get on.
- Keep aisle clear of your backpack, bag, or books.
- Talk quietly during the entire bus ride.
- Keep your hands, arms, and head inside the bus at all times.
- Walk in front of the bus to cross the street, never behind it.
National Coalition for Safer Roads introduced the theme Expect the Unexpected. Know the Danger Zone. Click here to check out what they have to offer this year.
Additional Safety Information and Resources for Drivers and Children:
*source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration