School Bus Safety

     One of my goals as your SRO is to provide you with information on how to be as safe as possible.   The following list of "Student Responsibilities at Bus Stops" was reviewed at the 2005 NYSED Professional Development seminar which I attended.

"I care about your safety.  Following these safety rules ensures your safety."

 

 

• Arrive 5 minutes early in the morning and wait in an orderly fashion, safely back from the road, at your designated spot.

 

• Do not damage private property at or near your bus stop.

 

• Wear safe clothes – avoid long drawstrings that could get snagged in the bus door.  Brightly-colored clothing makes you more visible to motorists.

 

• As your bus approaches, do not move towards it until it’s completely stopped and your driver signals you.

 

• If you’re late, never chase your bus – it’s very dangerous – go back home and ask an adult to help you get to school.

 

• If something or someone makes you feel unsafe at your bus stop, tell your bus driver, teacher, parent or SRO.

 

• Keep all possessions inside your backpack while on the bus.

 

• Stay in your seat until the bus is stopped at school or your bus stop.

 

• Get off the bus at your designated stop in the afternoon.

 

• “Check before you step” off your bus (for vehicles passing on the right side).

 

 

• If you don’t have to cross, move away from the roadway and wait until your bus has left the area and then go directly home.  If you must cross, go far enough in front of the bus to see your driver’s face.

 

• Wait for the driver’s “universal crossing signal” before starting to cross.  The driver will point to the student and then, after checking traffic, will point in the direction for the student to cross the road.

 

• If you are crossing with other children – stay together.

 

• If your parents let you get the mail, wait until your bus has left the area and you can see traffic in both directions.

 

• If your parent, or friend is across the road waiting for you, pay attention to your driver until you are safely across.

 

• Older children should hold younger children’s hands if they are crossing together.

 

• Before entering the unprotected part of the roadway, pause and look carefully left, right and then left again and listen for approaching cars.

 

• If your bus driver honks the horn quickly return to the side of the road you started from.

 

• If you drop something near the bus, leave it there and move safely back from the road – ask an adult for help.