The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that an average of 33 school age children die in school bus related crashes each year, most of which are pedestrians age five to seven. Because young children tend to hurry when getting on and off the bus, have little experience with traffic, assume motorists will see them and don’t always stay with the bus driver’s sight, they are the most likely group to get hit. They are hit either by a passing vehicle or sometimes by the bus itself.

The NHTSA recommends the following safety precautions.

• 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 drops something near the bus. If a child stoops to pick up something, the driver cannot see him. Then he could be hit by the bus. A book bag or backpack helps keep loose items together.
• Make sure clothing has no loose drawstrings and backpack straps are short, so they don't get caught in the handrail or bus door.
• Encourage safe school bus loading and unloading.
• If you think a bus stop is in a dangerous place, talk with your school office or transportation director about changing the location.

They further recommend teaching your child to get on and off the bus safely.

• When loading, stay at least 10 feet from the bus sides and front and wait for the driver’s signal. Board the bus in single file.
• When unloading, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of road). Move away from the bus.
• Before crossing the street, take five ‘giant steps’ out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen. Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
• Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Continue to watch for traffic when crossing.

All drivers must do their part to follow the traffic laws regarding school bus stops.

• Motorists approaching a school bus from either direction must stop when the bus displays flashing red warning lights.
• Vehicles may not pass until the flashing red lights and signals are turned off.
• Never pass on the right side of the bus.
• Drivers traveling in the same direction of the bus are always required to stop.
• Drivers traveling in the opposite direction of the bus are also required to stop except on divided highways with a median.

According to the NHTSA the most dangerous part of the school bus ride is the bus stop.

School will be in session again shortly. Let’s all do our part to help minimize the risk.