School buses are the safest way to get to school
Teach your child to get on and off the school bus safely
Safety steps parents can take
Learn and follow school bus safety laws
School bus hazards: drawstrings and handrails
Proper use of child safety seats in school buses

School Buses Are The Safest Way To Get To School

School buses are nearly 8 times safer than passenger vehicles, but children must take care when getting on or getting off the bus. While an average of 27 school-age passengers are killed in school bus crashes each year, 19 are killed getting on and off the bus. Most of those killed are children - between the ages of five to seven years old. They are hit in the danger zone around the bus ( see figure A ), either by a passing vehicle or by the school bus itself. It is illegal for a vehicle to pass a bus while its red lights are flashing.

Young children are most likely to be hit because they: Hurry getting on and off the bus, Act before they think and have little experience, Assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross, Don't always stay within the bus drivers sight, or Drop something as they get off the bus and run into the path of the bus to pick it up.

Teach Your Child To Get On and Off The School Bus Safely

1. When getting on the bus, stay away from the danger zone and wait for the driver's signal.
   
   
2. Board the bus one at a time.
   
   
3. When getting off the bus, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road).
   
   
4. Move away from the bus.
   
   
5. Before crossing the street, take five “giant steps” out from the bus, or until the driver's face can be seen ( see figure A ). Wait for the driver to signal that it's safe to cross.
   
   
6. Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is clear before crossing.

Safety Steps Parents Can Take

• Supervise children to make sure they get to the stop on time, wait far away from the road, and avoid rough play.
  
  
• Teach your child to ask the driver for help if he/she drops something near the bus. If the child bends down to pick up something, the driver cannot see him/her and the child may be hit by the bus. Have your child use a backpack or book bag to keep loose items together.
  
  
• Make sure clothing and backpacks have no loose drawstrings or long straps that could get caught in the handrail or bus door.
  
  
• Encourage safe practices for getting on and getting off the school bus.
  
  
• If you think a bus stop is in a dangerous place, talk with your school office or transportation director about the location.

Learn and Follow School Bus Stop Laws

Laws exist to protect children getting on and off the bus AND to protect you from a tragedy. Check with your school, local police department, or the Illinois Department of Transportation (217-588-0568) for more information. Here is the law:

• Vehicles must stop when the bus displays flashing red lights and extends the stop signal arm. Vehicles may not pass until the flashing red warning lights are turned off or the school bus driver waves the vehicle on.

• Vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus are always required to stop.

• Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children are getting on and getting off the bus. This is illegal and can have tragic results.

• Violation of these laws can result in a citation and fine. School bus drivers will report a passing vehicle to law enforcement officials. Conviction will result in the suspension of your driver's license and a mandatory $150 fine.

School Bus Hazards: Handrails & Drawstrings

Drawstrings Can Be Dangerous

 Children's clothing, especially drawstrings, can cause death or injury. A drawstring can catch in a small gap in playground equipment, a bus handrail, or a bolt. As a child gets off the bus, doors close and the child isn't seen, he/she could be dragged and ran over by the wheels.

Items that can cause these problems include:

• Jackets, sweaters, and other clothing with drawstrings at the neck or waist.
• Backpack straps
• Dangling key chains
• Scarves
• Belt buckles
• Other loose items of clothing

School Bus Improvements Help Reduce The Danger

• School bus manufacturers and school districts have repaired the handrails on school buses currently in service.
• New buses are designed to make handrails safer.
• Bus drivers are trained to watch children as they get off the bus.

Your child's bus driver should make sure each child has completely cleared the bus when leaving. He/she should also look for clothing that could get caught.

Simple Steps Make Clothing Safer

• Choose clothing without drawstrings - snaps, Velcro, buttons, or elastic are better choices.
• Remove hood and neck strings.
• Warn children about dangling key rings, large buckles, and other objects hanging from their backpacks.