October Bus Safety Tip

October Safety Tip

National School Bus Safety Week October 20th – 24th

This month bus drivers will be conducting Bus Evacuation Drills during National School Bus Safety Week at all schools. All schools are required to have these drills once a year. During these drills the bus drivers talk to student about what to do in an emergency situation on the bus. They will review the safety equipment and emergency exits on the school bus. They will also review with students about the danger zones around the school bus.

Did you know that 10 feet around the front and sides of a school bus are considered the danger zone. Any area behind the school bus is also considered the danger zone. The most dangerous zones around the school bus are directly around the right rear tire and in front of the bus. This is why bus drivers instruct the students that when they are waiting for the bus or exiting the bus they should walk away from the bus. Bus drivers tell older students to walk10 feet away from the bus and tell younger students to take three giant steps away from the bus. This is a safe distance away from the bus. Bus drivers also tell students that if they need to cross the street they must walk away from the bus and then proceed to the front of the bus. They should wait for the bus driver to signal to them when it is safe to cross. Parents can help us teach the student by reviewing these rules about the danger zones. Parents can also help us make sure students are at their bus stops on time and not running from their homes to the bus stop when they see the bus coming. This is unsafe and in the winter time is more dangerous because the student can slip, fall and be hurt by the bus. When students are exiting the bus they should get away from the bus. If students are talking to them out the windows they should stay away from the bus. If a student should drop something near the bus they should not go near the bus to get it. They can also let the bus driver know before they pull away so the driver can secure the bus and let the student get their belonging.

Thank you for stopping by and reading our first safety tip of the month. Please come back to see more every month. As always if you have any questions please feel free to call us at 847-394-7360 or e-mail us at vramirez@dist57.org.