School Bus Safety

1. School Bus Safety

2. Bus Facts • Transporting children on the school bus is about 2,000 times safer than the family car. • 24.5 Million students ride the school bus daily, over a distance of 5 billion miles during the school year. • Over 30% of all accidents involving school buses are attributed to bus driver distraction. • One-half of the students killed by the school bus are struck from the front of the bus. • Government statistics show that 9 passengers are killed in bus crashes annually, compared to 42,000 fatalities in car and truck accidents. • It is likely a young girls’ first encounter with sexual harassment will occur on the school bus. • The school bus is the only mode of transportation which has been reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities, while increasing the number of vehicles and passengers annually.

3. What are the key areas of bus safety? • Danger Zones • Bus Stop Behavior • Getting On And Off The Bus • Expected Bus Behavior • Emergency Evacuation • Bus Privileges

4. Danger Zone

5. How Can You Avoid Danger Zones? • Walk at least ten feet in front of the bus (five big steps). • Make eye contact with your bus driver. • If you drop any item in a danger zone DO NOT try to pick it up without your driver’s permission. • Wave good-bye to your driver to make sure he or she sees you.

6. Danger Zone Quiz • How many feet should you walk in front of the bus? • How many steps is that? • What should you do if you drop something in a danger zone? • How can you make sure the driver sees you when crossing in front of the bus? • Where are the danger zones of the bus located? • Is it ever safe to be in a danger zone?

7. Bus Stop Safety Guidelines

8. When at the bus stop remember: • Arrive 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to be there. • Make sure you are not playing any games. • Keep your noise level down. • Do not go to another bus stop without the principal’s permission. • Dress appropriately during the winter months. • Stay away from other peoples’ personal property (cars, garages, homes). • Leave your pets at home. • Pay attention at all times. • Do not litter. • Wait in a single file line as the bus approaches. • Stay off the street. • Wait for the bus on the sidewalk, boulevard, or edge of the roadway.

9. Bus stop behavior quiz • It is okay to play tag at the bus stop? Yes or No • Students can have a conversation at the bus stop as long as it’s not too loud? Yes or No • I don’t need to pay attention at the bus stop because the driver will always see me? Yes or No • If another bus stop is closer to my house, I should just start going there? Yes or No • Students at the bus stop should be respectful of personal property around them? Yes or No • If you don’t live on a busy street it’s okay to wait for the bus in the street? Yes or No • The bus stop is safe if I follow the rules? Yes or No

10. Getting On and Off The Bus

11. When getting on the bus: • Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop. • Enter one at a time and wait in a single-file line. • Don’t push or shove. • Listen to any directions from your driver. • Watch your step and use the handrail. • Find a seat promptly so others can board the bus. • If crossing the street look both ways and make eye contact with the driver.

12. When Getting Off The Bus • Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting out of your seat. • Make sure you have all your items (backpacks, bags, instruments). • Let students in front of you get off first. • Don’t push or shove • Watch your step and use the handrail • Go home immediately and check in with your parents/guardians. • Stay out of the danger zones and if you have to cross in front of the bus make sure the driver sees you.

13. Getting On and Off the Bus Quiz Write down five things that will help you get on and off the bus safely. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

14. Expected Behaviors When Riding on The Bus

15. Bus Riders Should: • Keep the noise level down. • Stay seated when the bus is moving. • Keep aisle clear of legs, instruments and bags. • Listen for direction from the driver. • Treat the bus with respect. • Remember, if it’s a rule at school, it’s probably a rule on the bus.

16. When on the bus, DO NOT: • Throw items. • Shove, push, or fight. • Eat food or drink beverages. • Use inappropriate language. • Distract the driver. • Make gestures at other vehicles. • Change seats. • Put any body parts outside the window. • Bring weapons, drugs, tobacco, or alcohol.

17. Riding on the Bus Quiz • List three bus behaviors that are expected. • List three behaviors that will not be tolerated when riding the bus. • A good rule to remember is: If it’s a rule at school, it’s a rule on the_____.

18. Emergency Bus Evacuation

19. If there is a bus emergency evacuation you should: • Stay alert and listen to your bus driver. • Try not to panic, don’t push and shove. • Leave your bag, instrument, and any other item on the bus. • Once off the bus get to a safe place, away from the bus and off the road. • Stay with the group and your driver. • Move quickly in a safe way. • Duck your head if you are exiting out the back of the bus. • Remember, the bus is very safe and emergency evacuations rarely happen, but is important that you are prepared for these situations.

20. Emergency Evacuation Quiz • If there is a bus evacuation you should listen to your driver? Yes or No • You should take your books with you during an emergency evacuation? Yes or No • When getting off the bus move quickly in a safe way? Yes or No • Once you are off the bus stay away from the road? Yes or No • The bus is an extremely safe form of transportation, but it’s good to be prepared? Yes or No

21. Bus Privilege Privilege: A privilege is something that is earned through good behavior. A privilege can be taken away if the behavior is unsafe. Roseville Area Schools gives students the privilege of riding the bus. Students who choose not to follow the rules of the bus can have the privilege taken away. From what we have discussed during our bus safety training, what are some behaviors that could get your bus privileges taken away?