| Beginning in early August and all the way through much | | | | Study various brace positions to prepare for the |
| of September, schools throughout the country begin | | | | possibility of an accident. Learn optional exit strategies |
| welcoming students back from their summer hiatus. | | | | including using the emergency door or windows. |
| Whether you are a parent, child, school administrator, | | | | 5. Exiting. When exiting the bus, children must move far |
| driver, or a concerned citizen, the following tips will help | | | | away from the vehicle to allow the driver to see that |
| keep our nation's students safe. | | | | they have cleared the bus and are safely away from |
| 1. Bus Stop. Your child's bus stop should be in an area | | | | traffic. Instruct your children to stay away from the |
| that is well lit, easily accessible, and away from traffic. | | | | bus' rear wheels at all times. |
| If it is not, contact school administrators to have the | | | | 6. Awareness. Teach your children to be aware of |
| stop moved. In some situations you may need to | | | | other traffic in the area. Do not assume that drivers will |
| contact the school board instead. If you live in an area | | | | stop for them or even see them. If children must cross |
| where there is heavy snowfall, make sure that the | | | | the street, they are to do so only with the driver |
| stop is sufficiently free of snow, ice, and related debris. | | | | directing them. Have them constantly looking both |
| 2. Clothing. Children should be wearing bright colored | | | | ways as they cross the street until they are safely on |
| clothing, especially if waiting for the bus before sunrise | | | | the other side. |
| or getting home after dark. Place removable reflective | | | | Every year children die or are injured in school bus |
| tape on their outer garments including on their hats and | | | | related accidents. Many die as a result of a collision |
| coats. | | | | involving their bus with another vehicle while others are |
| 3. Boarding. Teach your children to only move forward | | | | killed or hurt as they fail to clear the area around the |
| to board the school bus when it has come to a | | | | bus or are hit by oncoming traffic. |
| complete stop and the driver opens the door. Children | | | | You can keep your child safe by raising their |
| should line up single file as they await entrance. | | | | awareness of potential hazards while the rest of us |
| 4. Seating. Virtually all school buses DO NOT come | | | | can make school bus safety a priority by obeying the |
| equipped with seatbelts, nor are seats strong enough | | | | rules of the road. Let's make this school year a safe |
| to resist impact in the event of a crash. Teach your | | | | one. |
| children to be seated at all times and facing forward. | | | | |