Did You Know It’s National School Bus Safety Week?
More than 25 million children ride the yellow bus every school day. School buses help keep children safe. Students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a bus instead of traveling by car. Unfortunately, children are still at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus. National School Bus Safety Week is held during the third full week of October each year. It is designed to promote school bus safety and learning. Here we will discuss tips to keep children safe at bus stops and how to avoid bus accidents.
An accident involving a bus is dangerous and can be deadly. If you are a victim in a bus accident, seek legal help from an experienced personal injury lawyer that can represent you successfully against insurance companies that aren’t motivated to pay you the highest amount possible for your injuries. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you with your personal injury case. Contact us at (702) 857-6000 to schedule an appointment for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
Tips to Keep Children Safe at the Bus Stop
Did you know the greatest risk to a child is approaching or leaving a school bus? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that from 2008 to 2017:
- There were 264 school-age children killed in school-transportation-related crashes.
- Most of those students were not on the bus. 203 were either walking, waiting for the bus, biking, or in another vehicle.
The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) is the leading trade association in the student transportation industry. It is one of the hosts of National School Bus Safety Week. NAPT provided the following tips for keeping children safe at bus stops:
Getting Ready for School
- Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won’t drop things along the way.
- Encourage children to wear bright, contrasting colors. Bright colors will be more easily seen by drivers.
- Make sure children leave home on time, so they can arrive at the bus stop before it is due. Ideally at least five minutes early. Running after or in front of a bus is dangerous.
Walking to the Bus Stop
- Walk young children to the bus stop or encourage children to walk in groups. There is safety in numbers. Groups are easier for drivers to see.
- Practice good pedestrian behavior. Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, stay out of the street. If you must walk in the street, walk single file and face traffic. Stay as close to the edge of the road as you can.
- Stop and look left, right, and then left again if you must cross the street. 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.
At the Bus Stop
- Have children wait in a location where the driver can see them while driving down the street. Try to avoid waiting in a house or car.
- Do not let children play in the street. Playing with balls or other toys that could roll into the street is also dangerous.
Getting On and Off the Bus
- Warn children that if they drop something getting on and off the bus, they should never pick it up. Instead, they should tell the driver and follow the driver’s instructions.
- Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus.
- If you meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off. Do not wait across the street. Children can be so excited to see you after school that they dash across the street and forget the safety rules.
Mobile Devices
Cell phones and other electronic devices are often permitted on the school bus as long as:
- They are in backpacks or other holders, keeping hands free to use handrails while boarding and departing the bus.
- Sound is muted or headphones, earbuds, or similar devices are used.
- Content does not violate the law or school district policy and procedures.
- Use does not create a distraction for the school bus driver.
We hope these tips help your children stay safe around school buses. If a bus accident injures you or a loved one, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Well-meaning friends or family may tell you it costs too much to hire a lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced, dedicated personal injury lawyers that offers the expertise you need when going against adversarial individuals, companies and more. Cntact us today at (702) 857-6000 for a free consultation.
Do Drivers Have to Stop for School Buses?
Drivers also have a responsibility to be safe around school buses. By law, Nevada drivers have to stop for school buses. Per Nevada Revised Statute 484B.353, all drivers are required to stop for school buses when:
- Students are boarding and departing.
- The bus is displaying its flashing red lights.
On divided highways with a median or other physical barrier, traffic moving in the opposite direction does not have to stop.
Did you know the theme of National School Bus Safety Week is derived from the poster contest the year before? This year’s theme is “Red Lights Mean STOP!” This is an additional reminder to stop at red lights for buses.
Drivers should also pay special attention around railroad crossings. When you see the round railway crossing sign:
- Slow down.
- Be ready to stop.
- Remember, even if there is no stop signal and no train is coming, passenger buses must stop.
Drivers are urged to pay extra attention any time they see a school bus.
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School Bus Safety: Avoid the “No-Zone”
Most crashes between buses and smaller cars are caused by the car drivers. The Nevada Driver Handbook (Handbook) has a section dedicated to commercial vehicle and bus safety. The Handbook reminds drivers to avoid the “No-Zone” with the below information.
What is a No-Zone?
According to the Handbook, the “No-Zone” is the area around buses where cars “disappear” into blind spots. If bus drivers cannot see you, the possibility of a collision is greatly increased. The right-side blind spot is doubly dangerous because buses make wide right turns.
Side No-Zones
Do not “hang out” on either side of buses. Buses have big No-Zones (blind spots) on both sides. They are much larger than your car’s blind spots. If you cannot see the driver’s face in the side view mirror, he or she cannot see you. If that driver needs to swerve or change lanes for any reason, the chances of a collision are greatly increased.
Front No-Zones
Pass safely! Large vehicles need nearly twice the time and distance to stop as cars. When passing, look for the whole front of the bus in your rearview mirror before pulling into the bus’s lane.
Rear No-Zones
Avoid tailgating! If the bus driver brakes or stops suddenly, you have no place to go and could end up running into them. Never pass behind a bus that is backing up.
Wide Right Turns
Avoid the “squeeze play”! Bus drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely make a right turn. Or swing wide to the right to safely make a left turn. They cannot see cars directly behind or beside them. Do not “squeeze” between a bus and the curb.
School bus safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you have been the victim in a bus accident, you should seek legal advice from an experienced bus accident lawyer. The experienced team at Anthem Injury Lawyers can help you protect your rights and help you get the personal injury settlement that you deserve.
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EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope National School Bus Safety Week helps you and your children stay safe. If you are injured in an accident that is not your fault, contact the experienced team at Anthem Injury Lawyers. Our Las Vegas legal team understands that being an accident victim can be one of the most difficult things you will ever face. As you deal with injuries and wonder how to navigate the system, it is imperative that you consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Our team is comprised of legal minds who are skilled in helping gain you compensation that can make all the difference in the quality of your life. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 for a free consultation.
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