Safe Driving Around School Buses

For millions of children countrywide, the school day begins and ends with a school bus trip. The greatest risk isn't riding the bus, it's approaching or leaving the bus. You should know and follow these safety rules for driving around school buses before children start or return to school for the first time.

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• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may not be thinking of getting to school safely.
• Drive slowly. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
• Drive carefully around school bus stops where children may be playing.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state. Learn the "flashing signal light system" that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:
• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before you can start driving again.