First Day of School 2017: Tips For Staying Safe Around School Buses

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Monday marks the first day of school for most kids in the Charlotte and Lake Norman region. That means commuters are going to be seeing a lot more school buses on the road in the mornings and afternoons.

How many more? In the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district alone has about 1,100 school buses and they log about 120,000 miles each school day.

Whether your child rides on buses or you commute along side them, keeping kids safe while getting on and off a school bus is everyone’s top concern. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 119 school-age children were killed as pedestrians in school-transportation related crashes between 2003 and 2012. In that period, seven out of 10 were fatally hit by school buses while 30 percent were killed when hit by other vehicles. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Charlotte — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Here are tips for keeping kids safe near school buses, according to the North Carolina Bus Safety Web:

Walking to the Bus Stop

• Always walk on the sidewalk to the bus stop, never run. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left facing traffic.
• Go to the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. While at the bus stop, wait quietly in a safe place well away from the road. Do not run and play while waiting.

Getting On and Off the Bus

• Enter the bus in line with younger students in front. Hold the handrail while going up and down the stairs.
• When entering the bus, go directly to a seat. Remain seated and face forward during the entire ride.

Riding the Bus

• Always speak quietly on the bus so the driver will not be distracted. Always be silent when a bus comes to a railroad crossing so the driver can hear if a train is coming.
• Never throw things on the bus or out the windows. Keep the aisles clear at all times. Feet should be directly in front of you on the floor and book bags should be kept on your lap. Large instruments or sports equipment should not block the aisle or emergency exits.
• Never play with the emergency exits. Large instruments or sports equipment should not block the aisle or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.
• Hands should be kept to yourself at all times while riding on the bus. Fighting and picking on others creates a dangerous bus ride.

Exiting the Bus

• If you leave something on the bus, never return to the bus to get it. The driver may not see you come back and she may begin moving the bus. Make sure that drawstrings and other loose objects are secure before getting off the bus so that the do not get caught on the handrail or the door.
• Respect the "Danger Zone" which surrounds all sides of the bus. The "Danger Zone" is ten feet wide on all sides of the bus. Always remain 10 steps away from the bus to be out of the "Danger Zone" and where the driver can see you.
• Always cross the street in from of the bus. Never go behind the bus. If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver before you attempt to pick it up, so they will know where you are.
• Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. Always go straight home and tell you parents if a stranger tries to talk to you or pick you up

You can find more information about school bus safety here.

Photo via Pixabay

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