School Bus Safety • Back to Main Page Riders and Drivers Both riders and drivers need to know important safety tips when around school buses. Almost two-out-of-three "school vehicle related" deaths occur outside of the bus. Preparing your child to get on and off the school bus: An adult or an older, responsible child should accompany children under nine years of age. Arrive at the bus stop on time. Wait in a safe place, away from the road. Remember to avoid the danger zones around the bus. These zones are anywhere close enough to touch the bus. The driver cannot see any pedestrians if they are too close to the bus. If you need to cross the street, wait until the bus has come to a complete stop, with the red lights flashing and the stop arm extended. The driver should signal to the children when it is safe to cross the road. Hold the handrail while getting on and off the bus. The stop arm will be extended and the red lights will be flashing. Move away from the bus toward the sidewalk or side of the road. If crossing the road, stay about 3 meters (or 10 big steps) in front of the bus and cross in single file. Walk directly home or to a designated location. Drivers, be alert for school buses on the road: Obey all traffic laws and specifically the Ontario School Bus Stopping Law. According to the law, vehicles in both directions must stop when a school bus has stopped with the alternate red lights flashing, stop arm extended, and the red stop sign out. Remember all school vehicles must stop at all railway crossings. Watch for traffic signs showing that school vehicles and children are using the roadways and streets. Please respect the safety rules to ensure everyone arrives safely to his or her destination. Sources and for more information: Taking the School Bus School Bus Safety Resource Guide Add Safety & Activity to Your Back-to-School List To the top