School bus safety week highlighted throughout AFDW

  • Published
  • By 11th Wing Public Affairs
The national school bus safety campaign began October 19 and runs through October 25. The 11th Wing Safety office is helping to educate Bolling adults and children on the safety and precautionary measures for children riding the school buses. 

"Our intent is to highlight school bus safety through awareness and monitoring is important." said Tech. Sgt. Darren Booker, 11th Wing Safety. "Keeping motorists alert to all the potential mishaps that could happen if we let our guard down is important."
Nationwide, 23 million students ride the bus to and from school each day. The major risk to children is not while on the bus, it's when students are approaching or exiting the bus. It is important that adults and children know traffic safety rules.
Drivers should always remember to slow down and watch for children, especially in neighborhoods and school zones. 

Drivers should pay attention to the flashing lights on buses. Yellow lights indicate a bus is stopping and will be loading or unloading children. Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop and allow the children to enter or exit the bus. 

Red flashing lights and extended stop arms on the bus indicate that the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Vehicles traveling in both directions of the bus must come to a complete stop, until the bus begins moving again. 

Be extra cautious around areas where children tend to congregate, like bus stops. Children may not always be focused on safety and it is important for adults to look out for them. Children should be taught and or reminded of key points of safety. Children should be encouraged to leave early and take their time to ensure they do not rush and make hasty mistakes. When the bus approaches, children should stand at least 6 feet, adult sized feet, away from the curb, wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, and enter the bus when the driver says it is okay. 

When crossing the path of a stopped bus, children should be at least 10 feet away from the bus, maintain a line of sight with the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.  If a child drops something under or near the bus, remind them not to pick it up right away, wait until the bus has cleared the area and there are no other impending hazards. 

"Even though parents must teach their kids safety measures, it's up to the adults who are behind the wheel of vehicles to understand their responsibility for the safety of our kids," Sergeant Booker added. "It is important to stress to children the importance of bus safety and the procedures they should follow to ensure they return home each and every day they venture out into the world."