Getting on and off the bus may be one of the most hazardous actions a child takes during a school day.
According to information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 26 children nationwide were killed getting on or off a school bus, or while waiting at a school bus stop last year.
“In fact, five times as many children were killed while getting on or off the bus than while riding it,” said Kristi Pankratz, public information officer for KDHE.
The statistic prompted the department and Safe Kids Kansas to emphasize off-bus behaviors for their annual National School Bus Safety Week campaign, which starts Monday and runs through Oct. 23.
“Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm” is the theme for the week.
Despite the hazards inherent in getting on and off, the school buses are almost eight times safer for children to ride than passenger vehicles, in part because of their extra safety features.
“The padded, high-backed seats on school buses are close together to create protective compartments, like egg cartons,” said Cheri Safe, Safe Kids Kansas director.
It is the time before and after the ride itself that presents the greatest hazards to children.
Sage recommended that parents teach their children about the “danger zone” around the school bus. It’s an area where bus drivers cannot see the children on the ground.
“Children should make eye contact with the driver when loading and unloading, and cross the street only after the driver indicates it is safe,” Sage said.
She suggested telling small children to take more than five “giant steps” away from the bus to be sure the bus driver can see them. Older youngsters who must cross the street need to look to the bus driver for an OK sign before crossing, and always cross in front of the bus.
Children also need to stand on the grass or sidewalk as they wait for the bus, and not enter the street until the driver has opened the bus door.
“Kids tend to run toward the bus and assume that drivers will see them and wait for them to cross the street,” Sage said. “Remind your child to stay within the bus driver’s sight.”
The National Association for Pupil Transportation offered the following safety tips:
- Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.
- Stay in a safe place, away from the street, while waiting for the bus.
- Stand at least five giant steps away from the edge of the road.
- Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says OK before stepping onto the bus.
- Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when leaving the bus.
- If something falls under or near the bus, tell the driver. Never try to pick it up yourself.
- Before getting on or off, look for the bus safety lights and make sure they are flashing.
- Be alert to traffic. Look left-right-left before you enter or cross the street.
While riding the bus, it is important to sit quietly so the bus driver is not distracted. If the bus is equipped with seat belts, be sure to use them correctly.
Drivers, be alert
Sage reminded drivers not to pass a school bus with its lights flashing.
“In Kansas, it is against the law to pass a stopped school bus from either direction when the stop arm is extended,” she said.
More information may be accessed at www.safekidskansas.org.
Safe Kids Kansas is a nonprofit coalition of organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children age birth to 14. Emporia is one of the cities involved in the organization.
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