Each school year in Bossier Parish is an exciting time for children to make new friends, learn new things, and for some, ride the school bus. They are among the approximately 24 million students who use school buses as transportation to and from school. Although school buses represent the safest form of highway transportation, there are a number of safety factors both students and drivers should know about. 

With the new school year about to begin, extreme caution should be used whenever school buses are present.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over the past 16 years, an average of 35 school-age children died in school bus-related accidents each year.

Children are often eager to get off the school bus because they are excited to tell their parents about all the fun they had at school that day. It is crucial for parents to reinforce the school bus safety rules children learn at school.

I would encourage parents to drive their child’s bus route with them and practice the proper safety precautions.

Throughout a child’s life, there are a number of situations where parents will be unable to exercise control.

However, there are numerous precautions they can take to make it more likely their child enjoys a safe ride to and from school. Here are some suggested safety measures for parents, students and drivers:

Parents

Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so they won’t drop things along the way.
Have them wear bright, contrasting colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers.

Make sure they leave home on time so they can walk to the bus stop and arrive before the bus is due. Running can be dangerous.

Walk your child to the bus stop and have older children walk in groups.  There is safety in numbers. Groups are easier for drivers to see.

Practice good pedestrian behavior. Your children should walk on the sidewalk.

If there is no sidewalk, they should stay out of the street.

If they must walk in the street, they should walk single file, face traffic and stay as close to the edge of the road as they can.

Tell your child to stop and look left, right and then left again if they must cross the street. They should do the same thing at driveways and alleys. Exaggerate your head turns and narrate your actions so your child knows you are looking left, right and left.

Students

Always arrive at the bus stop early.

Prior to boarding, wait until the bus has come to a complete stop, the door opens, and the bus driver says it’s O.K. to board.

Always walk on the sidewalk when preparing to cross the street near a bus.

Make eye contact with the driver so you are sure he or she sees you.

Never walk behind the bus.

If you do find it necessary to walk behind the bus, walk at least three giant steps away.

Take extra precautions to make sure clothing with drawstrings and book bags do not get caught in the hand rail or door.

Never stop to pick something up that you have dropped when a bus is stopped.  Wait until the bus has driven off to avoid not being seen by the driver.

Motorists

Remember that children are unpredictable. Use extreme caution when traveling in a school zone.

If there are no sidewalks, drive cautiously. Be more alert to the possibility of  children walking in the road.
Be more aware of children playing near school bus stops.

Slow down and prepare to stop whenever you see school bus lights flashing.

Never pass a school bus when there are flashing red lights. This is a sign that children are getting off the bus.

Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state.

Let’s make this school year in Bossier Parish especially safe. Practice these school bus safety measures for your protection and safety so this school year will be as enjoyable and accident free.


Sheriff Larry Deen’s column appears each Friday in the Bossier Press-Tribune.

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