School Bus Safety Tips
How can I keep my child safe while riding the school bus?
The 2016-2017 school year is fast approaching, and that means that thousands of children in Cobb County, Georgia will soon board the big yellow school bus. Many parents worry about their children being injured in school bus accidents, but according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school buses are the safest mode of transportation for children. School buses are large, heavy vehicles designed to absorb the impact of even a serious collision.
When school bus-related injuries do occur, they are most likely to happen when kids are getting on and off the bus. Here are some tips to help you keep your school age children safe this year while riding the school bus:
- Wait with your kids: Walk with your children to the school bus and wait with them until the bus arrives. Instruct kids to take several steps back as the bus approaches.
- Never walk behind a bus: Children should wait for the school bus to make a complete stop and board on the appropriate side. Never walk behind a bus because the driver may not be able to see you.
- Instruct kids to remain seated: When aboard the bus, children should always remain seated in the forward facing position. If the bus is equipped with seat belts, children should use them.
- Watch straps and drawstrings: Backpack straps and clothing drawstrings can become stuck in school doors while children board or exit the bus. Adjust your child’s straps and tie any drawstrings so they do not pose a hazard.
- Use caution crossing in front of the bus: If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, it is imperative that he or she make eye contact with the driver before crossing. Cross only once the bus driver indicates it is safe to do so, and look both ways before doing so.
- Drive carefully near school zones: Always slow down in school zones and remain alert for children that may cross the street. Slow down and stop if you are driving near a school bus that activates it lights.
If you or a family member is injured in a school bus accident, the Marietta, Georgia personal injury attorneys at Randall F. Rogers can help. Contact us at (770) 590-0300 to schedule your free consultation today.
Posted in: Automobile Wrecks