Bus Stop Safety

• Leave your home in plenty of time to arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
• If possible, walk with friends or a group from your bus stop, though never next to each other within a roadway.
• If there is a sidewalk available on your way to the bus stop, always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, you should usually walk on the far-left side of the road so that you can see traffic coming towards you.
• If you must walk in a roadway, keep all electronics in your pockets or bag, and remove earphones so that you can hear traffic.
• If you must walk when it is dark outside, use a flashlight or flashing red light to make yourself more visible.
• If you must cross the road to get to your bus stop, always look both ways (left, right, left) before crossing. Assume that approaching traffic will keep moving, and wait to cross until they have passed. Never step into the road in front of a moving vehicle, even if they look like they are far away or slowing down.
• Always pay attention to your surroundings, and tell your bus driver if you notice anything wrong at the bus stop like strange cars, strangers that talk to you, or something dangerous that scared you.

Bus Stops at Intersections

Bus stops that are designated at intersections are often designed to service families that may come from any direction/street in the intersection. Students may wait at any corner of the intersection and cross/traverse the intersection when the bus has arrived, the red warning lights are flashing, the door is fully open, and all traffic has stopped.

Because of this, school bus drivers are instructed to stop the bus at the point nearest the intersecting roadway without entering the intersection to provide the best visibility possible of the school bus to other traffic. Please do not ask drivers to move the stop or stop further back from an intersection.

Safety at All Bus Stops, Including Intersections

• Arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes early.
• Whenever possible, wait at least 10 feet back from any road or intersection. If a sidewalk is available, wait on the sidewalk, and facing the nearest lane of traffic.
• If no sidewalk or grassy area is available, wait as near to the edge of any roadways as possible. Keep any electronics in your pocket/bag, and keep your headphones put away so that you can hear traffic.
• If you must wait for the bus when it is dark outside, use a flashlight or flashing red light to make yourself more visible.
• Wait patiently until the bus has come to a complete stop, the red warning lights are flashing, the door is fully open, and all traffic has stopped to approach the school bus. Never approach or step in front of a school bus until all of those things are true.
• If you must cross the street to board the bus, look both ways (left, right, left) to make sure all traffic has stopped. Never step into the roadway if traffic is either approaching the school bus, or traveling within the intersection that the bus stop is at. You should also learn whether your school bus driver has a signal to tell you that it is safe to cross. If they do, always wait for that signal, then look both ways before entering the roadway.
• If you must cross the street to board the bus, always cross in front of the school bus.
• Never reach or crawl under the bus for any reason, even if you have dropped something that rolled or blew under the bus.
• Always hold the handrail and walk carefully up the stairs to the school bus.
• Never run after or "chase" a moving bus for any reason.

At the Bus Stop

• Always wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before standing to get out of your seat.
• Always hold the handrail and walk carefully down the stairs of the school bus.
• When exiting the bus, move only in the direction you intend to go so that the driver understands where each rider is going.
• If you must cross the road, always cross in front of the bus.
• If you must cross the road, walk at least 10 big steps forward from the bus, then look back at the driver. Learn whether your school bus driver has a signal to tell you that it is safe to cross. If they do, always wait for that signal. Look both ways (left, right, left) before stepping into the road. Never step into the roadway if any traffic is approaching or moving within the intersection at the bus stop - wait for all traffic to stop. When you reach the middle of the road (the driver's side of the school bus), stop and look to your left so that you can see down the side of the school bus to make sure no traffic is passing the stopped bus.
• After you have gotten off the bus and stepped away, never re-approach the bus unless called back by the driver.
• Never reach or crawl under the bus for any reason, even if you have dropped something that rolled or blew under the bus.

Getting Home Safely

• Always walk directly home.
• If there is a stranger at or near the bus stop, don't stop near them, speak to them, or accept a ride from them. If a stranger tries to talk to you or offers you a ride, tell your parents, a grownup that you trust, the school principal, or your school bus driver.
• If possible, walk with friends or a group from your bus stop, though never next to each other within a roadway.
• If there is a sidewalk available on your way home, always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, you should usually walk on the far-left side of the road so that you can see traffic coming towards you.
• If you must walk in a roadway, keep all electronics in your pockets or bag, and remove earphones so that you can hear traffic.
• If you must cross the road to get home from your bus stop, always look both ways (left, right, left) before crossing. Assume that approaching traffic will keep moving, and wait to cross until they have passed. Never step into the road in front of a moving vehicle, even if they look like they are far away or slowing down.
• If you must walk when it is dark outside, use a flashlight or flashing red light to make yourself more visible.