FAMILY : Schooling Kids on Bus Safety

Add school bus safety to the three Rs as essential instructions for children. Learning to follow safety rules can help keep them from being involved in a bus or pedestrian-car accident.

Children should be instructed to stay seated while riding on a bus. Both the driver and passengers should know where the emergency exits are--and how to use them. If possible, school districts should include adult monitors on buses to provide an extra degree of safety.

Many school bus accidents occur when children board the bus or after they get off and start to cross the street. Careless drivers may pass a stopped school bus, even though its emergency lights are on. Or bus drivers may not see small children beside or in front of the bus, especially if children stoop over to pick up a dropped item.

Keep safety in mind while children wait for the bus. Have them remain at least 10 feet from the curb at all times.

And to help reduce the risk of accidents, children should be taught never to step into the road until the bus has pulled away from the curb.