National School Bus Safety Week is October 19鈥�23!
The week is an opportunity for schools, families, motorists, and communities to highlight the important measures needed to help ensure students travel safely to and from school.
In the Greater Victoria School District, we recognize many students take public transit in addition to yellow school buses. Please see the tips below for some reminders about bus safety.
Safety Reminders for Students and Caregivers
- Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early, waiting a safe distance away from the edge of the road (about 5 giant steps).
- Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it鈥檚 okay before stepping onto the bus. Provide your bus fare or produce a bus pass if prompted by the driver.
- Enter and exit the bus single file in a safe and orderly manner. Be careful that clothing or bag straps do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.
- Be sure the bus driver can always see you, and you can see the bus driver. Wearing reflective and light-coloured clothing can help keep you visible to all road users! Use a flashlight or your phone to signal to the bus driver that you are there.
- Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus. Before crossing the street, stop and look left-right-left before crossing.
- Help contribute to a safe environment on the bus by keeping voices low, keeping hands and feet to yourself, remaining seated, and keeping the aisle clear.
- Eating, drinking, and gum chewing are not permitted on the bus to protect those with food allergies, prevent choking, and maintain bus cleanliness.
- Keep the bus as you found it. Vandalism and littering are not permitted.
- Follow the bus driver鈥檚 instructions.
Safety Reminders for Motorists
- The overall best practice is to 鈥渁lways stop if there鈥檚 a school bus.鈥�
- Watch for school buses. When their lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop. Motorists may begin moving only when the flashing lights are turned off, the stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move. Never pass on the right side of the听bus, where children enter or exit. This is听illegal听and can have tragic results.
- Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops.
- Stay alert and don鈥檛 drive distracted.
Thank you for helping keep our roads and students safe!
爱豆传媒
community@sd61.bc.ca