School bus safety is crucial for protecting children and drivers alike. Whether you are a driver approaching a school bus or a student boarding or exiting, understanding and following the rules helps prevent accidents and ensures everyone stays safe.
Drivers: Know the Rules
When driving on a road without a median:
- Drivers travelling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing.
- Do not move forward until the red lights have stopped flashing or the bus begins to move.
- If you approach the bus from the front, stop at a safe distance to let children on/off the bus and cross the road.
When driving on a road with a median, traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop.
Students: Stay Safe
Boarding or leaving the bus
- Wait for the bus in a safe space far from the edge of the road.
- Always cross the road in front of the bus, never behind.
- Look all ways and wait for the driver to see you before you cross in front of the bus.
- Walk – never run – across the road.
- Enter/exit the bus in a single file – never push or shove other students.
- Stay out of the “danger zone” of the bus – when you are too close to the outside of the bus for the driver to see you. If you can touch the bus, you’re too close.
- If you drop something within this zone, ask an adult to help.
While on the bus
- Stay seated and facing forward at all times.
- Do not distract the bus driver, and listen to their instructions.
- Do not eat or drink.
- Do not yell, push people, or throw things.
- Keep your arms and head inside the bus.
- Do not put things in the aisle.