Marc Rothenberg

BUS SAFETY
https://www.injurylawyer.com/bus-accidents/school-bus-safety-orientation-kids-new-york/
For millions of students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus.

Every school day, almost a half a million school buses transport more than 24 million children to and from schools and school-related activities.

This makes school buses the largest mass transit program in the U.S.

In 1969, approximately 50% of children walked or bicycled to school. Today, fewer than 15 percent walk or bicycle to school.
Not all children walk or ride a bus to school, as much as 20 to 30 percent of morning traffic is generated by parents driving their children to schools.

The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus.

Statistic reveal that nearly half of the children struck by cars near schools are hit by parents driving children to school.

Before our children go back to school or start school for the first time, it is essential that adults and children are familiar with some basic traffic safety rules.

For example: For Children
 Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled for pick-up.

- When the bus approaches, stand at least three steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.

- Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it's okay before stepping onto the bus.

- If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

- Use the buses handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings, and book bags with straps don't get caught in the handrails or doors.

- Never walk behind the bus.
- Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
- If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

For Drivers:

- When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
- When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.
- Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.
- Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
- Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
- Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state. Learn the "flashing signal light system" that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:
- Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
- Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Let’s work to get our children to and from school safely.

The Rothenberg Law Firm has years of experience of successfully handling bus, truck, auto & pedestrian cases. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, we’re here to assist your family.

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