National Bus Safety Week is Oct. 21-25

Oct. 21-25 is National School Bus Safety Week. To mark the occasion, families can click here to visit our webpage or read on for some tips about how to be safe when waiting for, riding on, or getting off the bus. 

Oct. 23 is the observation of Operation Safe Stop, a state-wide initiative to educate motorists that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation encourages school districts and local law enforcement agencies to partner in protecting the safety of children by raising awareness and documenting instances of unsafe behavior. Police may monitor area bus stops or even ride on school buses to observe as part of Observation Safe Stop.

Here are some tips to share with your children:

At the bus stop:

• Stand away from the roadway

• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before moving to board it

• If crossing the street to board the bus, wait until it has stopped and the red school bus lights are flashing. Look both ways and cross 15 feet in front of the bus.

On the bus:

• Board in an orderly manner

• Take a seat and remain seated until the bus reaches its destination

• Talk in a normal tone of voice so as not to distract the driver

• Keep the aisle and emergency exits clear of belongings

• No bullying of other passengers

• Do not drink or eat on the bus

• Do not throw objects on the bus

• Do not put your hands or head out the bus windows

• Obey the driver

Leaving the bus:

• Do not walk alongside the bus or behind it

• If crossing the street, walk 15 feet in front of the bus, and stop at the edge of the bus to make sure traffic has stopped before crossing

For those driving in our community, we recommend that everyone familiarize themselves with the rules about when to stop for a school bus:

• Never pass a bus that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended

• You must stop at an intersection where a bus is loading or unloading, regardless of of whether or not the intersection is marked with a stop sign

• You must stop for a bus that is loading/unloading whether you are approaching the bus or behind it when there is a ridged/grooved divider or painted lines dividing the road.