Published On: August 21st, 2019By

Keep an Eye Out for Children and School Buses

The District needs your help to keep students safe throughout the school year.


Now that school is back in session, this is a great time to remind drivers that they will be sharing the road with students and school buses.

School bus drivers do everything they can to keep children safe, but everyone must make an effort to drive safely around school buses. Parents and children walking to school should be alert at all times, and only cross the street at intersections and designated crosswalks.

Bus Safety Tips

  • Yellow flashing lights mean drivers should slow down because the bus is about to make a stop.
  • Red flashing lights mean the bus has stopped. All drivers must stop for buses while the red lights are flashing and the Stop sign is out. It is against the state law to pass a school bus with the red flashing lights on, loading, or unloading children. If a roadway is divided, the opposite direction roadway may proceed with caution. Traffic behind the school bus traveling in the same direction MUST stop.
  • The area 15 feet around a school bus is where children are in danger of being hit. Drivers should stop far enough back to allow children the necessary space to safely enter or exit a bus. Never pass a stopped bus on the right that is loading or unloading. It is illegal and could have tragic consequences.
  • Drivers should be patient. Buses travel at a slower rate, and they make frequent stops.
  • Drivers should stay alert. Be aware that children will be loading and unloading at bus stops. Children are unpredictable. Children walking to or from their bus are very comfortable with their surroundings, which makes them more likely to take risks, ignore hazards, or fail to look both ways when crossing the street.
  • Students should stay at a safe distance away from the roadway while waiting for the bus and no horseplay. Students should stay alert while waiting for the bus.
  • Students should wait until the bus stops, and the driver signals that it is safe to load the bus or cross the street.
  • Students should respect the rights of others while riding the bus. They should cooperate with the driver and remain in their seats.

Tips for Driving in School Zones

  • Remain alert at all times.
  • Put away your cellphone. Cellphone use is banned in active school zones, and violators face fines of up to $200 in school zones where signs are posted.
  • Always obey school zone speed limits. Remember, traffic fines usually double in school zones.
  • Drop off and pick up your children in your school’s designated areas, not the middle of the street.
  • Keep an eye on children gathered at bus stops.
  • Be alert for children who might dart across the street or between vehicles on their way to school.
  • Obey all traffic rules, signs, and signals.

Tips for Children Walking or Biking to School

  • Always cross at intersections and designated crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again before proceeding. Never attempt to cross a multi-lane highway.
  • Always walk on sidewalks, whenever they’re available.
  • Look for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked cars.
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.
  • Always obey crossing guards.
  • Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
  • When walking, don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
  • Look for cars turning in all directions, including those turning left or right. Be visible at all times to drivers.
  • Follow all traffic rules, signs, and signals.

Click to learn more about bus rider expectations, parent responsibilities, and bus safety.

Stay alert. Follow the rules. Help keep our children safe!

About the Author: Leticia Fehling

Director of Internal Communications