School Bus Safety

By Kirsten McMurdo

Did you know that the school bus is the safest vehicle on the road? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, students are more likely to get to school safely on a bus because school buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road.

Consider these facts:

• School buses are built to be tougher and safer than cars.
• Safety standards for school buses are even higher than regular buses.
• From the trademark yellow paint to the flashing red lights and stop-sign arms—the school bus is the most visible vehicle on the road.
• Students are further protected from crashes and injuries by high crush standards, protective seating, and rollover prevention features.
• School bus drivers are highly trained, meet rigorous standards and undergo background checks and drug and alcohol testing.

As a driver, you can contribute to bus safety by following these precautions:​​

• Slow down when driving by a school bus stop and look out for children waiting or playing nearby.
• Be prepared to stop for children who may unexpectedly walk out into the road.
• If you're driving behind a bus, put more following distance than if you were driving behind a car.
• Yellow flashing lights warn you that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Slow down and prepare to stop.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms signal that the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before you can resume driving.
• It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

​Let’s all work together to keep our keiki safe!