Click to hear our ad: SCHOOL BUS SAFETY AWARENESS - SEPTEMBER 

September is back to school month and, for many students in Southwest Michigan, that means time on a bus traveling to and from school. The greatest risk to children is not in riding the bus, but in arriving, entering and leaving the school bus and bus stop. This is a good time for children, parents and drivers to be reminded of bus and traffic safety rules.

Children:

• You should arrive at your bus stop 5 minutes early, and stand way from the curb as the bus approaches.
• It is important to wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it is okay before getting on the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver before picking it up.
• Never walk behind a bus and, if you have to cross in front, walk to a point at least 10 feet ahead of the bus before you cross.
• Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

Parents:

• Remind your children of these common sense practices often.
• Practice the same safe driving rules that you would expect other drivers to follow for your child.

Drivers:

• Slow down and watch out for children playing and gathering near bus stops.
• Yellow flashing lights mean that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You must prepare to stop too.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arm means the bus is stopped and that children are entering or exiting. You must stop and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm retreats and the bus is moving before driving again.
• Be alert. Children arriving for the bus late, or in a hurry to get home, may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• When driving in school zones, watch out for children who may be thinking more about school that getting there or leaving safely.

For more information on traffic and bus safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Association website.