Thousands of Georgia students ride the school bus to and from school each and every day. School buses are meant to be a method of transportation for students so that they are guaranteed a way to school each day. They are beneficial for parents as well, in the event that their schedules do not allow time to escort their children to and from school.
Unfortunately, just as there are dangers associated with all automobiles, school buses are not guaranteed to be a safe method of transportation. In the past, we have posted about various school bus wrecks that occurred in and around the city of Marietta. We oftentimes provide tips for student bus riders to remember while riding the bus, but haven’t before offered safety information for the time period prior to boarding school buses. Between 1995 and 2012, 11 students lost their lives after being struck by vehicles while waiting at a bus stop for their school bus to arrive. For this reason, we have compiled a list of safety tips for parents and students who ride school buses:
- Leave for the bus stop early enough that you are not required to rush. You should leave yourself sufficient time so that you can walk safety and adhere to all traffic laws on your way to the location in which the bus picks you up.
- Put away distractions such as phones and iPods while walking to the bus stop. These devices often serve as distractions from your surroundings, which can lead to injuries as a result of not paying attention to the environment around you.
- Always watch for moving traffic of any kind and stay out of the lane of travel.
- Avoid wearing hoods because they can make it harder to see and hear traffic.
- Travel in groups if possible so that you are more likely to be seen by drivers.
- Once you arrive at the bus stop, do not stand or sit near the roadway(s). You should not play or roughhouse with friends while waiting, as it can lead to injuries if you accidentally enter the roadway.
- When the bus is arriving at your stop, make sure you are at least 10 steps from the side of the bus so that the driver can easily see you.
- Allow the bus to come to a complete stop before you board.
- Pay attention to loose clothing or drawstrings that may get hung on doors or handrails of school buses.
- Use the handrail when entering and exiting the bus on the stairwell.
These tips may seem like common sense, but they are essential to keep bus-riding children safe from harm.
At Jones & Swanson, our injury lawyers and staff members have over 50 years of collective legal experience. This knowledge and familiarity with the ins and outs of personal injury representation allow for the best possible legal representation in the metro-Atlanta area. We represent victims that were involved in truck, bus, and car accidents throughout the state of Georgia in an attempt to recover financial compensation for their suffering. Consultations are free, so call (770) 427-5498 today if you believe you may need legal representation.
Categories: Bus Accidents
