School Bus Safety Tips for Drivers and Riders
Originally Published: August 25, 2015 • Re-published: August 12, 2025
It’s that time of year again. Big yellow school buses are on the move with 26 million children across the U.S. relying on them for safe transportation to and from school. But even with their bright color and flashing lights, school buses are often overlooked by distracted drivers who don’t notice them until it’s too late. Whether you’re behind the wheel or riding the bus, staying alert is essential.
Let’s make riding the bus safer for kids. Whether you’re a driver, parent, or student, your actions can make a life-saving difference. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe this school year and every school year.
Safety tips for motorists
Drivers (non-school bus) play a critical role in ensuring kids get on and off the school bus safely. Even if you don’t have kids riding the bus, every driver plays a role in getting children to and from school safely. All motorists need to:
- Watch for children walking or biking as you back out of driveways—kids may be distracted (talking, texting, or playing games) and unaware of your vehicle.
- Know your neighborhood bus stops. Children often play while waiting for the bus and may accidentally step or fall into the street as you are driving by.
- Always drive defensively in school zones and residential areas —stay alert and anticipate sudden movements.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when you see yellow flashing lights on a bus—it is preparing to pick up or drop off kids.
- Stop completely—and at a safe distance— when red lights flash, and the stop arm extends. It’s not just courteous—it’s the law.
- Follow school bus laws and posted speed limits. School zones require slower speeds at certain times of day. Never pass a school bus that has its stop arm extended or flashing lights, no matter which side of the road you are on.
- Know your school’s drop-off and pick-up procedure. Follow the designated traffic flow, do not pass cars stopped to load or unload children or who double-park, and keep an eye out for children who might weave through parked cars.
- Always stop for crossing guards and pedestrians in crosswalks, even if you have the right of way. Never honk or rev your engine, or block the crosswalk. Slow down early and stop BEFORE the crosswalk.
“Did you know that the school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the road? Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles.”
Safety Tips for Bus Riders
Students can help keep themselves and others safe by following a few simple guidelines:
- Avoid roughhousing (and other careless behavior) while waiting for or boarding the bus.
- Stand at least six feet (about three giant steps) away from the curb while waiting for the bus.
- Approach the bus only after it stops and the door opens.
- Stay seated and quiet to avoid distracting the driver.
- Keep aisles clear of backpacks, books, and other debris.
- Wait for a full stop before standing and preparing to exit.
- Use the handrail when boarding or exiting.
- Cross in front of the bus only when you can see the driver —about 10 feet ahead.
- Look left, right, then left again before crossing any street.
Ready to take action? Share these School Bus Safety Tips with your community or print them for your fridge or classroom!
Helpful School Bus Safety Resources
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