Why Is School Bus Safety Important?

That’s because school buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road; they’re designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries ; and in every state, stop-arm laws protect children from other motorists.

What are 3 things that are important about school bus safety?

ƒ Safety features including the color and size of school buses, height, reinforced sides, flashing red lights, cross view mirrors, and crossing and stop sign arms ensure children are protected and secure on and off the bus.

What are the best ways to help keep students safe on school buses?

• Buckle up if seat belts are available.
• Stay in your seat keeping head, arms and papers inside the bus, and talk quietly.
• Keep aisles clear of books and bags.

How can you be safe on a bus?

Always wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before leaving your seat and exiting the bus. Always exit the bus through the door nearest you. Step onto the sidewalk – don’t walk between the side of the bus and the curb. Use designated crosswalks when exiting the bus.

Are buses safe for kids?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) school buses are 70 times safer than traveling by car . School buses reduce traffic. NHTSA estimates 36 cars would be needed to ferry the same number of kids as one bus.

Is bus safer than car?

Second only to air travel, traveling by bus is one of the safest modes of transportation in the United States. ... Bus travel is four times safer than passenger rail travel (another one of the safest modes of transportation), and it’s a staggering 50 times safer than private car travel .

What are the rules for school buses?

• Take your seat promptly and sit properly, facing forward at all times.
• Place bags and parcels under your seat or on your lap.
• Keep the aisle of the bus clear at all times.
• Always keep your head, hands and arms inside the bus.
• Throwing objects inside or outside of the bus is not permitted.

How can we make transport safer?

Allow fare-free boarding on buses and trolleys . Enforce a requirement for riders to wear masks at bus stops, stations, and on vehicles and monitor to prevent disproportionate enforcement against people of color. Install tape at bus stops, stations, and on vehicles to help riders maintain a safe social distance.

What are the most common types of school bus accidents?

1. Occupants Of The School Bus Are Injured. To start off, school transportation accidents that involve children experiencing an injury on a bus remains the rarest type of bus accident. ...
2. Other Motorists Are Injured. ...
3. Pedestrians Are Injured.

How can we prevent school bus accidents?

1. Enter and exit the bus in an orderly manner.
2. Stay seated throughout the duration of the trip.
3. Keep head, hands, legs, arms, and objects inside the bus at all times.
4. Sit with feet on the floor and face forward.
5. Keep aisle free and clear throughout the ride.
6. Do not distract the bus driver.

Which part of the bus is safest?

Sit towards the middle of the bus

To find the safest seat on a bus, head for the middle. Choose a row as centrally located as possible and sit on the aisle, choosing the side of the bus farthest from opposing traffic. In America, this means sitting on an aisle seat on the right-hand side of the bus.

Which is the best seat in a bus?

Stay away from the back of the bus on the bottom deck and from anyone with a takeaway. Priority seats on the bottom deck are best . Second best is the top deck, three rows from the front, on the aisle seat.

How can we improve safety in public transport?

1. Use well-lit, busy waiting and exit areas and travel through stations with security surveillance cameras. ...
2. Never allow children to use public transportation alone. ...
3. Observe the behavior of others around you. ...
4. Look for an aisle seat if possible or sit near a driver or operator.

Should I let my child ride the bus?

Ability to Keep Schedules in Tact

Riding the school bus allows for younger children to enjoy that quality time at home with Mommy the way the older kids were able to have when they were young. Keeping the younger kids on their set schedules doesn’t just benefit the younger kids, it also benefits the older ones.

How many students died in school bus accidents?

Between 2009 and 2018, 1,207 people died in school-transportation-related crashes, an average of 121 deaths per year. Occupants of passenger vehicles accounted for 70% of fatalities in school bus crashes. Of the 1,207 people killed, 249 (20.6%) were school-age, which NHTSA defines as 18 or younger.

Why do school busses not have seatbelts?

Large school buses are heavier and distribute crash forces differently than passenger cars and light trucks do. ... Since the sizes and weights of small school buses are closer to those of passenger cars and trucks, seat belts in those vehicles are necessary to provide occupant protection .”