Promote School Bus Safety

It’s back to school time! Let’s all work to keep kids safe on the bus!

Taking the bus is a great option for kids! It can be easier on parents and kids get to be with their friends. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that taking the bus is one of the safest ways for students to get to school. With school buses being highly regulated, numerous safety precautions are in place to make student riders 70 times more likely to arrive safely at school than those riding to school in cars. That being said, you can never be too safe! Talk to your kids about what they can do at the bus stop and on the bus to make sure everyone arrives safely.

At the bus stop, kids should:

• Be mindful of their surroundings;
• Avoid playing; and
• Stay at least 6 feet away from the roadway; and
• Avoid approaching the bus doors until the bus has come to a complete stop, the doors have opened, and the driver has signaled them to board.

Also, talk to your kids about safe bus riding practices. While riding on the bus, kids should make sure to always keep the aisles clear of book, backpacks, and other potential obstructions. Additionally, loud and distracting noises should be avoided so that the driver does not have to take their attention away from the road.

Another recommended way to keep your child safe on the bus ride to school is for them to always wear a seat belt when it is available. The State of Texas has recognized the importance of having seat belts on buses to keep student riders safe. On June 15, 2017, Texas passed Senate Bill 693 which requires seat belts on all buses that are model year 2018 or later. Schools do have the option to opt out of this requirement if their board of trustees public discusses it and votes to do so. This law becomes effective on September 1, 2017.

The start of the school year is an exciting time and a great opportunity to remind our kids to always take safety precautions seriously. We can all work together to keep our young students as safe as possible. Sometimes, people fail to do their part in ensuring the safety of others. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another, the Lovett Law Firm is here for you. Attorney Rob Lovett takes his job of fighting for the injured very serious. He is, and always will be, here to fight for families with injured loved ones.