For kids who live a long distance from school or whose parents' schedules cannot accommodate dropping and picking them up from school, the bus becomes the second most common option. Over 30 percent of all school-going children ride on the bus.
Buses provide the safest way of commuting to school, but a few accidents still occur, which calls for parents and kids alike to understand safety around and inside the bus.
Tips for a Safe Ride at Bus Stops
Every school bus has a set schedule and will rarely miss it, and delays may not be significant, if any. The first step to safety is arriving a few minutes, preferably five to ten, before the bus schedule, which allows the student time to get composure and not do things in a rush.
Your kid should stand at least six feet from the curb while waiting for the bus, approximately six giant steps. Younger kids may need supervision and regular training and only allow them to take the bus alone when you are sure that they can safely do so or are in the company of older kids.
Around the Bus
Your child will learn basic safety around the bus in school and by following the driver's instructions. But you may also need to know so you can offer guidance. The more they hear it, the more it stays on their minds and the less likely they are to make mistakes that can cause a bus accident.
Your child needs first to learn when and how to cross the road, which should be ten feet in front of the bus. Also, they must ensure eye contact with the driver before crossing. If they drop something near or under the bus when entering or exiting, they should never pick it up; instead, they should ask the bus driver for help.
Getting On and Off the Bus
School bus drivers often offer instruction on appropriate behavior when getting off the bus, like waiting until it comes to a full stop to start moving. Still, the driver's instructions may not always be sufficient, so you must also reiterate the need for following such instructions.
You should also instruct your child to wait until the bus reaches a full stop before approaching it at the pick-up point. Also, secure any objects such as loosely hanging bag straps, shoelaces, and hoods to avoid the chances of them getting stuck and causing an accident.
On the Bus
A driver won't start the journey until all the kids are seated, but they may not have control over who stays seated and who doesn't. As a parent, you are responsible for ensuring your kid understands they need to stay seated on the bus as long as it is in motion.
Liability for School Bus Accidents
School bus accidents, while rare, do occur, and your child has a right to compensation if the accident results from negligence. The liable party in a school bus accident is dependent on the accident's circumstances.
If the fault is with a driver employed by the school district, or it's a maintenance fault, the school district will be at fault.
For private school buses, the responsibility will be on the bus company. Liability can also be on another entity responsible for the accident, such as another driver or a state agency responsible for maintaining the road.
