With school in full swing for the year, children all over are hopping aboard big yellow school buses to get to and from school. The safety of our kids is of utmost important, so I’m sharing some information that will help you talk to your children about school bus safety for students.
School buses have come a long way over the years and the new propane autogas engines allow a safer and quieter ride. Since they are 50% quieter than diesel engines, bus drivers can focus better without all that noise. Standard safety features include an automatic shut-off valve too, which prevents fuel being able to flow to the engine when the bus isn’t running, regardless if the switch is in the “on” position. Another safety feature includes side and rear impact crash tests. School buses are some of the safest vehicles on the road, but school bus accidents still happen. It is important to take all the safety measures to avoid any accidents.
Thanks to propane school buses, students won’t have to breathe in diesel exhaust, which has been identified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency. And, propane auotogas will be lighter on the school’s budget since propane costs less per gallon than diesel fuel does.
School buses may be the safest form of transportation to and from school, according to the National Association of Pupil Transportation, but bus stops can definitely be full of chaos. That’s why these tips on school bus safety for students are extremely important, and should be used as a guideline if your child rides the bus to school.
School bus safety for students
- While your child is getting ready for school, make sure their clothing, coats and bags don’t have any loose drawstrings, chains or other dangling objects. Running in front of or after a bus is dangerous, so ensure that they leave home with plenty of time to walk to the bus stop, so that they arrive before the bus does.
- There is safety in numbers, and a group of people is always easier for a bus driver to see, so make sure that your child always walks to the bus stop with a friend or an adult. Sidewalks should always be used, if available, but never walk in the street.
- While children are at the bus stop, they should make sure to wait in an area that the driver can see them. Balls and other toys should never be played with as they could roll in the street and pose a dangerous threat.
- If your child drops something while getting on or off the bus, they should tell the driver and follow his or her directions, rather than pick it up. Before stepping off the bus, kids should always look to the right. If you’re waiting at the bus stop for your child, do not wait across the street, as they might get excited and run across the street without looking for cars.