Missouri Injury Lawyers Blog

In the U.S., approximately 23 million children ride a school bus to and from school every day. Contrary to what you might think, most injuries related to school busses do not occur when the children are on the busses. Most injuries happen while children are getting to and from the bus.

Drivers can help keep children and other pedestrians safe by implementing some of these safety tips:

• Always check behind your vehicle before backing out of a driveway. Watch for children who may be walking or bicycling to school.
• Watch out for children and parents who may be distracted and are thinking about school or work instead of getting there safely.
• Slow down and watch for children walking in the street, especially in areas where there aren't any sidewalks.
• Take extra care when driving near bus stops. Watch out for children who are playing near the roadway and may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Be alert when you meet a school bus on the road. Pay attention to onboard stop signs and flashing signal lights intended to alert you to the presence of children on or near the roadway.
• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is beginning to slow to a stop to load or unload children.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Wait until all flashing lights and onboard stop signs have been turned off before you begin moving again.

FOR YOUR CHILDREN:

• Make sure children have plenty of time to get to the bus stop so they aren't rushing to beat the bus there.
• Children should stand at least six feet away from the curb at all times.
• Children should wait until the bus is fully stopped, the door opens and the driver says it's okay to come onto the bus before entering.
• Children who have to cross the street in front of the bus should stay at least ten feet in front of the bus as they cross so they bus driver can always see them.
• Children should be instructed to never walk behind the bus.