Teach Your Kids These School Bus Safety Tips

A school bus is usually a safe means of transportation to take children to and from school, and there are many laws in place to keep it that way.

Unfortunately, many children have sustained serious injuries getting on or off the bus due to the inattention of other drivers. It is the responsibility of drivers to follow all laws regarding school buses, and parents should teach their children how to safely travel on buses.

Indiana School Bus Laws

According to the Indiana State Police, state law requires all motorists to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children.

School buses are equipped with a flashing stop sign that extends out from the bus when a child is getting on or off. All motor vehicles and all lanes of traffic are required to stop in case a child needs to cross. In the case of a divided roadway with a barrier, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus have to stop. Failing to stop for a stopped school bus is a serious offense.

School Bus Safety Tips

Please review the following tips with your child to keep them safe when getting on and off the bus:

• When waiting at the bus stop, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop.
• Stand three big steps back from the curb.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• Never cross the street to board the bus until its flashing stop sign is extended.
• Never cross the street while a car is coming towards the bus.
• Never assume a car is going to stop just because the bus has its stop sign extended.
• Remind the driver, as you’re getting off the bus, that you are crossing the street.
• Before you cross the street, make eye contact with the driver and cross when they indicate that it’s okay. They’ll also be watching for cars coming in the opposite direction.
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street in front of the bus.

These safety tips are designed to teach children to do their part to stay alert and aware of their surrounding when entering and exiting the bus.

Contact an Indianapolis Bus Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a car or bus accident, you are urged to contact the attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. An Indianapolis car accident lawyer from WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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