With the first day of school upon us throughout the country, we are welcoming students back from their summer hiatus.
Every year children die or are injured in school bus-related accidents. Many die as a result of a collision involving their bus with another vehicle while others are killed or hurt as they fail to clear the area around the bus or are hit by oncoming traffic. If you are ever in an unfortunate event like this contact Injury Lawyer Detroit, MI because you deserve prompt representation in defending your rights.
The following tips are to keep our students safe whether we are a parent, child, school administrator, drive or concerned citizen.
1 – Bus Stop
Every child deserves a bus stop that is safe, in a well-lit area, easily accessible and away from traffic. If it is not, contact school administrators or your school board to get the stop moved. If you live in an area where there is heavy snowfall, make sure the stop is sufficiently free of snow, ice, and related debris as well as a safe distance from the roadway.
2 – Clothing
Bright colored-clothing or reflective tape are great ways for your child to get noticed especially if they are at the stop before sunrise or getting home after dark. Removable reflective tape on outer garments such as backpacks, hats, and coats is a simple way to help motorists notice them.
3 – Boarding
It might be hard because children are excited or want to get out of the cold or hot temperatures but waiting until the school bus is at a complete stop is a must. Children should be in single file as they wait to board.
4 – Seating
Virtually all school buses DO NOT come equipped with seatbelts, nor are seats strong enough to resist impact in the event of a crash. Teach your children to be seated at all times and facing forward. Study various brace positions to prepare for the possibility of an accident. Learn optional exit strategies including using the emergency door or windows. If they are unsure of what to do the bus driver will be more than happy to answer their questions as safety is their priority.
5 – Exiting
When exiting the bus, children must move far away from the vehicle to allow the driver to see that they have cleared the bus and are safely away from traffic. Even though the school bus is stopped it doesn't mean motorists are paying attention, always remind children to look for traffic before crossing the street.
You can keep your child safe by raising their awareness of potential hazards while the rest of us can make school bus safety a priority by obeying the rules of the road. Let's make this school year a safe one!