School Bus Loading and Unloading Procedures
The greatest risk to a child isn’t riding a school bus, but approaching or leaving one. Stay alert. Stay engaged. Keep them safe. The most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the school bus. The school bus loading and unloading area is called the “Danger Zone.” Specifically, this is any side of the bus where a child may not be seen by the bus driver and, therefore, is in the most danger. These areas include:
- 10 feet in front of the bus, where the driver may be sitting too high to see a child
- 10 feet on either side of the bus, where a child may be in the driver’s blind spots
- Behind the school bus
Young children are most likely to be struck because they:
- Hurry to get on and off the bus
- Act before they think and have little experience with traffic
- Assume motorists will see them and wait for them to cross the street
Bus Rules: The Big Five
- It is dangerous to stand up or change seats while the bus is moving. Sit down, face forward, and remain seated until the bus reaches your stop and the driver opens the bus door.
- To keep everyone safe while the bus is moving, the driver needs to be able to hear what is happening outside on the street. Talk with your friends while riding the bus, but do so quietly and only with students who are sitting nearby. If you choose to listen to a device, use headphones. Always listen to driver directions.
- The bus is not a safe place for horsing around. Keep your hands and feet to yourself and inside the bus at all times.
- Due to student allergies, the potential of choking, and in an effort to keep the bus clean, keep snacks, candy and drinks in your bag until you get home.
- In an effort to make the bus a safe and welcoming place for riders each day, please work to keep the bus clean and free of damage or vandalism.
Remember: If you notice either damage to the bus or something that is unsafe, let your bus driver know.