School Bus Safety Reminders for the Back-to-School Season

The National Safety Council estimates that 25 million students in the United States use a school bus every day.  

School buses are an efficient way to get children to school, but reckless driving can pose a significant risk. 9,000 children are injured each year in accidents involving school buses.  

This is no small number. Drivers who stay alert, obey traffic laws and watch for children getting on and off the school bus play a large part in helping keep kids safe.  

In this post, Management Plus has put together the top safety reminders to help motorists keep kids safe during the back-to-school season.  

Tips for Motorists on School Bus Safety 

Safe driving around school buses is a priority as the rules of the road change when a bus comes into play.  

You may be required to make frequent stops behind the school bus and you cannot pass a school bus when it is stopped. It can be difficult to remember all the school bus rules when a new school year begins.  

Use these tips to help ensure a safe trip for yourself and school children everywhere. 

Never Pass a School Bus with Flashing Lights 

This is a big one. If a school bus is stopped and its lights are flashing, that is a clear sign that children are in the streets. It is required by law that motorists coming in each direction stop and wait for the school bus to resume driving. Passing a school bus with flashing lights could mean a steep ticket, or worse, injury or death of a pedestrian. 

Be Aware of Children Entering and Exiting the Bus 

Most school bus-related accidents occur when children are crossing the street. Always look to see when children are entering and exiting the school bus. This will give you a better idea of where the children are and will help ensure that there are no harmful accidents. 

Keep Your Distance from the School Bus 

School buses will stop frequently, including stops at every railroad crossing. Keep your distance from school buses at all times (about 3 seconds worth) so you are prepared to stop even before the bus turns on its flashing lights.  

Keep in mind that the school bus will go slower than normal traffic. Never pass a school bus unless the driver clearly signals you to do so. 

Keep Your Eyes on the Road 

When you are driving near a school bus, it is important to keep your eyes fixed on the road. This means that you must put away your phone, restrain from playing with the radio, and prevent yourself from interacting with other distractions. It only takes one second for an accident to take place. Make sure you are ready to react should anything happen. 

What Different Colored Lights Mean 

School buses flash different colored lights to communicate different messages. Here's what you need to know. 

Yellow flashing lights. The bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off students. These come on 300 feet before the bus stops. Motorists who see yellow flashing lights should prepare to stop.  

Red flashing lights. Motorists must stop immediately. Students are currently entering or exiting the bus. Stop at least ten feet away from the bus and do not move until the bus resumes motion. 

Stop sign extended and flashing. Stop immediately. Students are exiting or boarding the bus, and some may be crossing the street. Wait until the stop sign has retracted and the bus resumes motion.  

Safer Communities with Management Plus 

Community safety is one of the most important aspects of neighborhood wellbeing. Ensuring that school children can safely go to and from school must be a priority for all motorists.  

At Management Plus, we understand that your community is more than just a group of houses. It’s the place you call home.  

You need someone who treats your neighborhood with the same respect and cares that you do.  

If your community needs community management that puts the homeowners first, then you need Management Plus. Curious about the Management Plus difference? Reach out today to learn more!