Bus Safety Week
Euclid Schools joins school districts and transporting agencies throughout Ohio and the nation in celebrating the importance of National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 18-22.
This year’s theme, ”CROSS IN VIEW, IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO”, reminds students to be cautious any time they must cross the street. Students need to cross where they can be seen by the bus driver and also need to watch for traffic. The greatest risk to our children is when they are outside the school bus. Student injuries and fatalities occur as a result of motorists who attempt to pass a stopped school bus with flashing red warning lights while students load or unload.
Nearly one million Ohio students ride on school buses each day, and over 15,000 bus drivers are dedicated to providing safe transportation for children in the state. National studies show school buses are the safest method for transporting young people – up to 22 times safer than passenger cars.
Ohio Revised Code 4511.75 requires motorists to stop for a school bus anytime it has stopped to load or unload. In Ohio those buses will display red flashing lights as well as a stop sign on the side of the bus. Motorists may not resume motion until the school bus has resumed motion. Bus drivers in Ohio are required to file reports with law enforcement when motorists pass them. In some communities cameras are being used to facilitate this reporting.
Use the following tips to remind your child how to get off and on the bus:
- Always remain in direct eyesight of the bus driver;
- Get to the bus stop in plenty of time;
- Take 10 giant steps back from the curb while waiting for the bus and 10 steps when exiting the bus;
- Never try to get anything left on the bus after exiting;
- Never reach underneath the bus;
- Always follow the driver’s directions for how to cross the street;
- Be alert to traffic and look both ways;
- Always cross in front of the bus, but only when the bus driver signals it is safe to do so.