Remembering bus safety ‘do’s’ and ‘dont’s’

Meeting children at the bus stop, parents need to:

• Wait on the same side of the street as the bus stop.

• Go to their child at the bus stop.

Parents and children should not:

• Wait in a parked car or in a building.

• Wait across the street from the bus stop.

• Allow their child to come to them.

• Board the bus without proper authority. Only registered students, bus driver, security attendant and school officials are authorized to board a school bus.

Overall, when parents meet their child at the bus stop, take charge of the situation. As the adult, parents can reduce the risk of their child and control the danger.

Five Basic Safety Rules for riding the bus:

• Be on time — walk, do not run to the bus stop.

• When waiting for the bus, take at least three large steps away from the curb.

• Take a seat on the bus and stay in it while the bus is moving. If there are seat belts, buckle up.

• When getting off the bus, take three large steps away from the curb and wait for the bus to leave before crossing the street.

• Never cross the street in front of or behind the bus.

Parents should ensure their children know and use the safest route possible from home to and from the bus stop. Teach children how to safely cross the street and use pedestrian crosswalks and traffic-lighted intersections, where available.

Parents should ensure children wear clothing that is easily visible to motorists. Parents can greatly improve their children’s visibility when they put reflective tape or devices on their children’s outerwear, book bags or other carried items.

Danger Zones:

Parents should educate their child on the danger zones. Parents and their child need to take extra precautions when near a school bus. Parents need to teach their children never to cross in front of or behind a bus. Reinforce children that traffic in Europe does not stop for loading and unloading of school buses.

Stress good behavior on the bus — good behavior and safety go hand-in-hand. On or around buses, students must conduct themselves in accordance with the following school bus rules.

Department of Defense Education Activity behavior standards for students:

• Obey the driver or adult.

• Enter and exit the bus safely, and always show a bus pass

• Stay properly seated and use seat belts when available.

• Keep hands, feet and other body parts to oneself.

• Do not throw things.

• Do not throw anything out the window.

• Remain quiet and do not disturb the driver or others.

• No profanity, indecency, smoking, prohibited items or vandalism.

• Do not eat, drink or chew gum on the bus.

• Be responsible and be safe.