By Allie Byrd
University of
Georgia

School buses will soon be rolling again, transporting more than 25 million students. Most make the daily trips without incident, but, on average, 21 children die each year in school bus-related accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Statistically, school buses are the safest form of travel to and from school, much safer than riding in a car,” said Don Bower, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension human development specialist. “The majority of school bus-related injuries and deaths occur when entering and leaving the bus.”
Most victims of bus accidents are pedestrians between the ages of 5 and 7 who are hit in the danger zone around the bus. These students are typically struck either by a passing vehicle or by the school bus itself.

“Many more kids run in front of or behind the bus and get hit and killed by another car,” Bower said. “They can get their backpacks caught on the bus handrail and get injured or stoop to pick something up under the bus and the driver doesn’t see them.”

Bower suggests a few precautions for bus riders to make sure the journey to and from school is a safe one.

*Avoid wearing clothes or backpacks with drawstrings that can snag on the bus handrail.

*Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early so bus riders aren’t rushed.

*Stand at least six feet away from the curb and line up away from the street.

*If you must cross the street, do so well in front of the bus and keep eye contact with the bus driver to ensure that he sees you. Never cross the street behind the bus.

* If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Don’t attempt to retrieve the item because the driver may not see you.

*Help ensure a safe walk to the bus stop by identifying the safest routes to travel. Parents should work with communities to build sidewalks, provide crossing guards and have visible police patrols, Bower said.

“Some neighborhoods organize a walking school bus in which adults meet kids at their home or a designated location, and walk with them to a bus stop or to school,” he said.

Although the number of children who walk to school has declined since 1969, many community groups are working to reverse that trend. Walking to school can save gas, time and enhance physical fitness. Walkers should be aware of buses and other vehicles and use sidewalks whenever possible.

Passengers need to keep some safety tips in mind while riding the bus, too. Stay seated whenever the bus is in motion and never put your hands, arms or head out the windows.

Problems can also arise after students are safely on the school bus. A growing concern is bullying on the bus, which can leave children feeling trapped and scared.

Children should be encouraged to report bullying to the adults in charge, Bower said. The best systems involve a school-wide plan to prevent and intervene in cases of bullying.

If a child resists riding the bus, or doesn’t want to go to school at all, it is important to determine the reason, he said. To avoid persistent problems, parents should keep the lines of communication open with their children.

“The most important thing is to ensure that the parent and child talk regularly and openly about what happens on the bus, and at school,” Bower said.

(Allie Byrd is a student intern with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)