Safety Tips for Parents of Children Taking the Bus

SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS

OF CHILDREN TAKING THE BUS

Parents are strongly encouraged to supervise their younger children at the bus stop.

Parents are strongly encouraged to walk (rather than drive) their children to and from the bus stop.  Additional cars at the bus stop may limit visibility, cause confusion and increase traffic hazards for everyone.

Students should arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled stop time.  

When walking to the bus stop: 

• Accompany your child to, and wait for your child on, the same side of the street as the school bus loading/unloading zone.
• Teach your children about possible traffic hazards.

                  Cross only at corners or a marked crosswalk.  Stop and look all ways before crossing.

                 Watch for turning cars at all times, and be aware that cars may make a right-turn-on-red.

                 Be especially alert in bad weather when visibility is reduced.  Drivers may not be able to stop quickly and cars may skid.

• If your child is walking to or from the bus stop when there is little daylight, have your child carry a flashlight and wear white or bright-colored clothing.  Also, children should have reflective strips on jackets, coats, hats and backpacks.

If you have to drive to the bus stop:  

• Do not double park or stop in crosswalks while waiting for children.  This can reduce  visibility for children, the bus driver and other motorists.
• Do not stop in moving traffic to let children in or out of your car.
• Always pull up close to the curb on the same side of the street as the bus stop.
• Always direct children to enter and exit the car on the curb side, not the street side.
• Do not distract the bus driver.  Do not drive alongside the bus, honk, or wave to the driver to stop so you can deliver a late passenger or forgotten backpack.