School Year Safety

School Year Safety

August is a busy time of year for many parents as their children start school or go back to start a new school year. It is also an important time to review Back to School Safety. Here are some tips for staying safe during the school year:

School bus safety:

Getting on the bus:

• Stay away from traffic and avoid play or other behavior that can lead to carelessness
• Line up 6 feet away from the curb/road as the bus approaches
• Do not approach the bus until the bus comes to a complete stop and the door opens
• Use the handrail when boarding the bus

Safety on the bus:

• Buckle up if seat belts are available
• Speak softly and keep noise to a minimum, and do not distract the driver
• Stay in your seat
• Stay inside of the window
• Keep your belongings under your seat
• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before you get out of your seat

Getting off the bus:

• Use the handrail when getting off the bus
• If you have to cross in front of the bus, first walk at least 10 ft ahead until you can see the driver
• Make sure the driver can see you
• When the driver signals, look left, then right, then left again. Walk across the road while keeping an eye out for sudden traffic changes
• If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see drivers and they can see you
• Stay away from the wheels of the bus at all times

According to NHTSA, more school-age pedestrians have been killed the hours before and after school than at any other time of day. And, although drivers are required by law to stop for a school bus when it’s loading or unloading passengers, they often don’t. Children should not rely on them to do so.

Walkers:

• Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk and you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic
• Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right, and left again to see if cars are coming
• Never dart out in front of a parked car
• Parents: Practice walking to school with your child, crossing streets at crosswalks when available
• Never walk while texting or talking on the phone
• Do not walk while using headphones

Bike Riders:

• Always wear a helmet that is fitted and secured properly
• Children need to know the rules of the road: Ride single file on the right side of the road, come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk the bike across
• Watch for opening car doors and other hazards
• Use hand signals when turning
• Wear bright-colored clothing

Drivers, Share the Road

• Don’t block crosswalks
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and take extra care in school zones
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to enter and exit the bus safely