B Y : M S. L A C I S T E WA R T L A C I. S T E WA R S M A I L. A S TAT E. E D U

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1 SCHOOL BUS SAFET Y B Y : M S. L A C I S T E WA R T L A C I. S T E WA R S M A I L. A S TAT E. E D U

2 FACTS ABOUT SCHOOL BUSES: School buses are designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in avoiding crashes and preventing injuries. School buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children back and forth to school. School buses keep an annual estimated 17.3 million cars off roads surrounding schools each morning. - Which keeps traffic condensed and smoother around the schools.

3 WHY DON T SCHOOL BUSES HAVE SEAT BELTS? School buses are the safest way to transport your child to and from school. - The color and size of school buses make them easily visible and identifiable, their height provides good driver visibility and raises the bus passenger compartment above car impact height, and emergency vehicles are the only other vehicle on the road that can stop traffic l ike a school bus can. School buses are carefully designed on a different transportations and protection model than an average passenger car. The children are protected and compartmentalized. In your car, you can supervise your child and ensure that your child s seat belts remains secured. - School buses use what is called passive restraint meaning all a child must do to be protected is simply sit down in a seat.

4 SEAT BELTS ON BUSES PROS : Seat belt use improves passenger behavior and reduces driver distractions Seat belts offer protection against injuries in rollover or side-impact crashes. Seat belt use on school buses has a carryover effect when riding in other vehicles. The cost to install seat belts is nominal over the life of a bus. CONS : Students can and do us the heavy belt buckles as weapons, injuring other riders. It is next to impossible to make sure that all students keep their belts properly fastened, so that they are not injured by the belts in an accident. If a bus has to be evacuated in an emergency, such as a fire, panicked or disoriented students might be trapped by their belts.

5 TIPS FOR A SAFE RIDE: GETTING ON THE BUS BEHAVIOR ON THE BUS GETTING OFF THE BUS

6 GETTING ON THE BUS When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness Do not stray onto the street, alleys or private property Line up away from the street or road as the bus approaches Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before approaching the bus Use the handrail when boarding

7 BEHAVIOR ON THE BUS Don t speak loudly or make loud noises that could distract the driver Stay in your seat Don t put your head, arms or hands out the window Keep aisles clear of books and bags. Get your belongings together before reaching your stop. Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat.

8 GETTING OF THE BUS Use the handrail when exciting. If you have to cross in front of the bus, first walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the driver Make sure the driver can see you Wait for a signal from the driver before crossing When the driver signals, look left, right, then left again. Walk across the road and keep an eye out for the sudden traffic change. If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see other drivers and they can see you Do not cross the center line of the road until the driver signals it is safe. Stay away from the rear wheels of the bus at all times.

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10 SCHOOL BUS SAFETY VIDEO EnwY

11 SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS Have your child ride the school bus to and from school instead of driving or riding with teenage passengers Review the safety tips with your child regularly Get to know the parents of the other riders. You will learn about the other children who are riding along with your child. Attend back to school nights and tour your child s school bus. Get to know your school s transportation coordinator and your child s bus driver.

12 REFERENCES