Village Of Lake In The Hills: School Bus Safety Week

Press release from the Village of Lake In The Hills:

10/14/2021 2:17 PM

While the school bus is the safest way to travel to school, children still need to be careful when they get on and off the bus, and motorists must exercise additional caution around school busses. Take a moment to review school bus safety tips for parents, children, and motorists as we recognize school Bus Safety Week from October 18-22.

Safety Tips for Parents 

Obstructed views and distracted drivers put children at risk, which is why it's important that parents teach their children how to stay safe. Children who rush are particularly vulnerable, so make sure they arrive to the bus stop early. Have children stay three giant steps away from the road until the bus stops and the door opens. Children should never walk behind the school bus.  When crossing in front of it, they should stay five giant steps away (10 feet) from the school bus. Make sure children check that drivers can see them and look out for passing vehicles before stepping into the roadway.

See the additional tips below to help keep children safe.

Click here to view a fact sheet with information on how to keep children safe when riding the bus.

Safety Tips for Motorists 

Motorists risk children's lives when they fail to stop for the school bus as it loads and unloads its passengers. Yet, it's estimated that over 10 million drivers illegally pass school buses every year.

To keep children safe, start by learning the laws in our state. It's illegal to pass a school bus within the roadway as it drops off or picks up passengers - regardless of the direction of approach. Remember that there is no "safe" way to illegally pass the school bus, so be cautious when sharing the road with busses. See the diagram to the right to see proper passing information.

Let others know that putting kids' lives at risk is not okay. Report aggressive drivers and spread the word about school bus safety. Take the pledge to brake for the school bus. 

Click here to view a fact sheet about motorist safety around school busses. 

Visit schoolbusfacts.com for more information from the American School Bus Council.

This press release was produced by the Village of Lake In The Hills. The views expressed here are the author’s own.