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Bus Safety
School Bus
Safety - Tips for Students
Walking to the bus stop
- Always walk on the sidewalk to the bus stop, never run.
If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left facing traffic.
- Always leave home on time so you can walk to the bus stop and arrive at least 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
Waiting to board a bus
- While at the bus stop, wait quietly in a safe place well
away from the road.
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Do not play running games or push and shove at the bus stop.
- Keep the roadway clear of books, clothing, and other articles.
Never play in the path of traffic, and stand well away from
the road when the bus approaches.
- Remember that fighting at bus stops, and/or on the way
to and from a school bus stop, subjects the student to disciplinary
action (to be reported to the school principal).
- Do not run alongside the bus when the bus is moving. Wait
until the bus stops; then walk to the door and board the
bus in an orderly manner. Do not push or shove.
- Remember that students living on the opposite side of
the road from a bus stop should wait on their side of the
road until the bus arrives. Watch for the red flashing lights
and stop arm to be extended. Cross only when all traffic
has stopped. Look left and right and left again before crossing.
- Always cross the street in front of the bus.
- Respect the "Danger Zone." Remain 10 steps away
from the bus where the driver can see you.
- Enter the bus in line with younger students in front.
Hold the handrail while going up and down the stairs.
- When entering the bus, go directly to a seat. Remain seated
and face forward during the entire ride.
Riding the bus
- Be seated immediately, and remain seated while the bus
is in motion. If a seat is not available, passengers should
hold onto the back of a seat.
- Obey the drivers instructions. The driver of a school
bus is in complete charge of the passengers while they are
aboard.
- Always speak in a quietly on the bus so the driver will
not be distracted. Always be silent when a bus comes to
a railroad crossing, so the driver can hear if a train is
coming.
- Never throw things on the bus or out the windows. Keep
the aisles clear at all times. Feet should be directly in
front of you on the floor and bookbags should be kept on
your lap. Large instruments or sports equipment should not
block the aisle or emergency exits.
- Do not tamper with the emergency door, fire extinguisher,
or other equipment on the bus. Large instruments or sports
equipment should not block the aisle or emergency exits.
If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow
instructions.
- Hands should be kept to yourself at all times while riding
on the bus. Fighting and picking on others creates a dangerous
bus ride.
- Do not extend arms, legs, or head out of the bus.
- Do not mar or deface the bus. Seat coverings must not
be damaged in any manner. Anyone caught damaging the equipment
will be subject to disciplinary action and/or restitution.
- Keep the bus clean. Do not throw wastepaper on the floor.
- Remember that smoking, eating, and drinking are not permitted
on the school bus.
- Know that the use of profanity and obscene signs on the
school bus are prohibited.
Exiting the bus on the trip home
- Passengers are permitted to leave the bus only at the
regular, designated stop. Any change must be made with the
parents/guardians request in writing and must
be approved by the signature of the school principal.
- If a student lives on the opposite side of a road from
the bus stop, the student should go to the front of the
bus and wait until the bus driver gives the signal to cross
the road. Never cross the road in the rear of a stopped
school bus.
- If you leave something on the bus, never return to the
bus to get it. The driver may not see you come back and
may begin moving the bus.
- Make sure that drawstrings and other loose objects are
secure before getting off the bus so that they do not get
caught on the handrail or the door.
- Respect the "Danger Zone" which surrounds all
sides of the bus. The "Danger Zone" is ten feet
wide on all sides of the bus. Always remain 10 steps away
from the bus to be out of the "Danger Zone" and
where the driver can see you.
- If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver
before you attempt to pick it up, so they will know where
you are.
- Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get
into the car with a stranger. Always go straight home and
tell you parents, the bus driver and principal if a stranger
tries to talk to you or pick you up.