Back-to-School Bus Safety

Here in Cobb County, school is officially back in session for the 2024-25 school year. While that brings the excitement of new beginnings and opportunities for students, it also means busier, school-bus-filled commutes. In order to keep everyone on the road safe, find out how drivers and students can work together to ensure safe travels. 

School buses have been specifically designed (and regulated) to prevent crashes and injuries. In fact, they are often considered the safest vehicle on the road. However, school bus related injuries and fatalities are still an ongoing threat. 

According to the US Department of Transportation, an average of 108 fatalities per year have occurred during school commutes from 2013-2022. Of the total 1,082 people that died, 198 were children– and 35 were in school buses.

Thankfully, there are measures that can be taken to reduce this risk. It’s important for bus drivers, students, and other commuters to cooperate with these guidelines to stay safe. 

For Students:

• Cross the road in front of a bus, rather than behind, so bus drivers and those traveling the opposite way will see you.
• Do not linger or squat near the bus to pick up dropped items. Instead, first alert the driver to be sure they see you .
• Use the “SAFE” acronym during bus pickup and drop-off. In terms of school bus safety, SAFE stands for:
  • Stay 10 feet back from the curb.
  • Always wait for the bus to stop completely and watch for the driver’s signal before boarding.
  • Face forward once you find your seat.
  • Exit the bus only after it stops and you have checked the streets for cars. 

For Bus Drivers:

• Anticipate your stops in order to properly brake for the size of the vehicle.
• Watch for cars and other obstacles during wide turns that require using the outside lane.
• Stay alert– don’t count on other drivers stopping during pick-ups or keeping their distance. 

For Other Commuters:

• Heed flashing lights. When they begin to blink yellow, be aware that the bus will soon come to a complete stop.
• Maintain your distance when driving behind a school bus to make room for their frequent stops.
• Do not pass a stopped school bus. Despite it being illegal in all 50 states, there has been over 55 fatalities involving passing a stopped school bus since 2000. 
• Exercise extra caution when driving near bus stops in the event that children are rushing to make it to their stop.
• Exercise SIPDE.