School Bus Safety Tips for Drivers and Parents

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Bus Accident Injury

Fall is back to school season, and as students return to their studies, many of them will be traveling to and from school via bus. While school buses provide a number of safety features, children may still be at risk in school bus accidents.

In order to avoid injuries, drivers and parents should practice the following safety tips around school buses.

Safety Tips for Drivers

• Understand school bus signals - When school buses are about to stop to load or unload children, yellow lights will flash at the front and back of the bus. When buses are stopped for loading or unloading, red lights will flash, and a stop signal arm will extend from the left side of the bus.

• Stop for buses which are loading or unloading - When a school bus is stopped to pick up or drop off children, all vehicles on two-lane or one-way roads must stop at least 20 feet away from the bus. On four-lane roads, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction of the bus do not need to stop.

• Watch for railroad crossings - School buses are required to stop at all railroad crossings, and it is illegal to cross the center line of a road to pass a school bus within 100 feet of a railroad crossing. Always allow a bus plenty of room when stopping behind it at a railroad crossing.

• Never pass a school bus on the right.

Safety Tips for Parents 

Children are at the greatest risk of being injured when they are getting on and off a school bus. The area immediately surrounding a bus is known as the “danger zone” or “death zone,” and to ensure that children stay safe around school buses, parents should instruct them to:

• Stay off the road when waiting for a bus - Children should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before moving toward it.

• Ask the bus driver for help if they drop something near the bus - When a child bends down to pick up dropped items, the bus driver will be unable to see them, and they may be struck by the bus.

• Be careful when crossing the street - Children should be at least 10 feet in front of the bus, make sure they can see the bus driver’s face, and wait for the bus driver’s signal before crossing the street. They should always look both ways and watch for traffic when crossing.

Contact a Waukegan Bus Accident Attorney

If you or a member of your family have been injured in an accident involving a school bus, the experienced attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP can help you receive compensation for your damages. Schedule a free consultation with a Lake County school bus accident lawyer today by calling 847-662-3303.

Sources:

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/bus_safety_motorist.pdf

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/bus_safety_parents.pdf

http://www.isp.state.il.us/docs/schoolbussafety5542.pdf