School Bus Safety

Safety Tips

Before your child rides the bus to school you can help ensure their safety on and off the bus by discussing these safety rules:

Talk With Your Child

Arrive at the bus stop early.
Wait for the bus on the sidewalk away from the edge of the road.
If you must cross the street to board the bus:
- Cross the street only after the bus stops completely and activates its red lights.
- Wait for traffic to stop and for the bus driver to signal you to cross.
- Look both ways before crossing in front of the school bus.
If you drop something as you are getting on or off the bus, ask the driver or another adult for help. Do not stop to pick it up.
Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before trying to get on or off.
Hold the handrail when getting on or off the bus.
Find your seat, face forward, and stay seated while the bus is moving.
You can speak quietly to friends seated near you but remember: avoid shouting or causing any distractions for the driver.
Do not eat or drink on the bus.
Keep all your body parts inside the bus.
When leaving the bus, stay out of the Danger Zone:
- Remember that the Danger Zone is around all the sides of the bus as it is difficult for bus drivers to see children.
- After leaving the bus, stay out from the Danger Zone by taking ten large steps away.
- Remember: If you cannot see the bus driver, they cannot see you either.
If you must cross the street when leaving the bus:
- Take a few big steps and wait for the bus driver to signal you.
- Watch for traffic as you cross in front of the school bus, staying clear of the Danger Zone.

As a Parent, You Should…

Remind your children to be extra careful when getting on and off the school bus.
Always have them take a second look for traffic before crossing the road.
Remind your children to follow the school bus safety rules learned at school.
Encourage them to help the driver to stay focused by:
- Behaving themselves.
- Being as quiet as possible.
- Facing the front.
- Staying seated until it is time to get off the bus.

School Bus Traffic Laws

Regardless of the posted speed limit, traffic traveling in both directions must come to a complete stop when a school bus with chrome yellow colour is stopped and its overhead red signal lights are flashing at the front and rear.

How Do I Know If It's a School Bus?

A school bus is painted bright, chrome yellow.
The words “SCHOOL BUS” are displayed on the front and rear of the bus.
The words “DO NOT PASS WHEN RED SIGNALS FLASHING” are displayed on the rear of the bus.
Only school buses can be painted chrome yellow or have the words “SCHOOL BUS” or “DO NOT PASS WHEN RED SIGNALS FLASHING”.
School buses may transport children or adults with developmental handicaps.
School buses can be on the road at any time – day or night.
School bus safety is the responsibility of everyone!

Driving Near School Buses

When you’re driving and a school bus approaches, watch if the bus slows and flashes its overhead amber lights, which means that the bus is coming to a stop to pick-up or drop-off passengers. When you see a school bus with its overhead amber lights flashing:

Slow down and prepare to stop whether you are behind or approaching a bus

If you are on a road with a median strip, only vehicles coming from behind the bus should prepare to stop.

Watch if the bus stops and flashes its overhead red-lights or activates its stop arm. This means that the bus has stopped to pick-up or drop off passengers. It is dangerous and illegal to fail to stop for a stopped school bus that has its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated.

For roads without a median (raised barrier between lanes), vehicles in both directions must stop when the bus is stopped and flashing its overhead red lights or its stop arm is activated:

if you are driving behind the bus, stop at least 20 metres away
if the school bus is facing you, stop at a safe distance to let children get on and off the bus and cross the road

For roads with a median, you must stop if you are driving in the same direction as the school bus when the bus is stopped and flashing its overhead red lights or its stop arm is activated. Vehicles coming from the opposite direction are not required to stop.

Before continuing on your way you must wait for the bus to start moving, for the overhead red lights to stop flashing and the stop arm is no longer activated.

Penalties

If you drive past a stopped school bus with its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated, you can face:

First offence

fines ranging from $400 to $2,000
6 demerit points

Each following offence

fines ranging from $1,000 to $4,000
6 demerit points
possible jail time of up to 6 months

Stop arm cameras on school buses

The registered owner of a vehicle illegally passing a school bus that is caught by camera technology may be charged and fined.

Reporting drivers who don’t stop

You can report a vehicle that doesn’t stop properly for a school bus by filing a local Road Watch Report or contacting your local police department.

School Bus Smarts

Following these School Bus Safety Rules helps to ensure a safe, fun ride for all. Understanding Danger Zones, the proper way to get on and off the bus, and being prepared for emergency evacuations further guarantees the safety of everyone involved. Learn more about these essential guidelines to promote a smooth and worry-free school bus experience!

General tips

Stay out of the danger zone at all times! Remember – if you can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see you!
Never go near the bus unless the driver has given you the signal to come!
Never, ever walk or play behind a vehicle!
When you go near the bus, always be sure you can see the bus driver!
If you drop anything in the danger zone leave it. Never stop to pick it up!

Know the Danger Zones

Every child must know the DANGER ZONES around the school bus.
Children should never enter the DANGER ZONE unless the driver has given them permission.
If a child can touch the bus, he or she is too close.
If a child must cross the street, know all the rules to cross safely.
The 10 Giant Step rule is a good measurement for children to identify the DANGER ZONE around the school bus, particularly when crossing in front of the bus.
When near a bus, the children must have the attention of the school bus driver.
Children should never play around or near school bus vehicles.
When leaving the bus, children must walk directly home.

Getting on and off safely

Always be on time with your school things tucked safely away.
Never run to or from the bus.
Wait for the bus at a safe place away from the road.
Wait for the bus to stop before approaching to get on.
Remember if you can touch the bus, YOU ARE TOO CLOSE!
Your driver will tell you when to get on.
Walk up the steps, one at a time, using the hand rail.
Never push or shove.
IF YOU DROP ANYTHING IN THE DANGER ZONE LEAVE IT. NEVER, NEVER STOP TO PICK IT UP!
Sit facing the driver, feet in front of you.
Keep the aisle clear at all times.
ALWAYS LISTEN TO AND OBEY YOUR SCHOOL BUS DRIVER!

Getting off the bus

Crossing the street

If you must cross the road after getting off the bus, use the 10 GIANT STEPS as a guide to take you out of the DANGER ZONE at the front of the bus.
Be sure you can see the driver and that the driver sees you.
Watch for the driver’s signal that it is safe to cross.
Stop when you reach the edge of the bus.
Look and listen both ways to be sure it is safe before you cross.
IF YOU DROP ANYTHING IN THE DANGER ZONE LEAVE IT. NEVER, NEVER STOP TO PICK IT UP!
Walk never run across the street.
Go right home.