Senior Partner
As a parent, it’s important to discuss school bus stop safety with your children. Not only will this give you peace of mind, but it can also help prevent a serious accident that leads to injury or even death.
Here are five of the most important school bus stop safety tips:
- Keep a safe distance: When possible, stand on a sidewalk at least six feet away from the bus. This gives the driver plenty of space to ease up to the bus stop, without any concerns of a child getting in the way.
- Visibility is a must: Teach your children how to remain visible at all times. For example, if they’re crossing the street in front of a bus, make sure they leave at least 10 feet of space. This makes it easier for the bus driver to spot your child, thus staying where they are until it’s safe to drive.
- Take instructions from the bus driver: The bus driver will slowly approach the stop, put out their stop sign and then open the door. Once the driver says it’s okay, your child can move toward the bus.
- Never walk behind a bus: It sounds safer than walking in front of a bus, but it’s very difficult for a driver to see a child in this area. This goes along with maintaining a high level of visibility at all times.
- Use handrails: Bus steps are known for being steep, thus making it difficult for children to safely go up and down. Talk about the importance of using handrails and closely watching each step. Also, be careful that your children aren’t wearing any clothing or a backpack that could get caught in the door or handrail.
As the days go by, it’s easy to assume that your children will always be safe at the bus stop. Unfortunately, it only takes one mistake to cause a serious accident.
If your child is injured in any type of school bus accident in New York, call for immediate help or transport them to a local hospital.
Once you understand their injuries, turn your attention to the cause of the accident. This will give you a clear idea of what went wrong, as well as the steps you can take to hold the bus driver and school district responsible.
