School Bus Safety Tips for Drivers and Riders

• August 12, 2025
• Safety

It’s that time of year again. Big yellow school buses are on the move with 26 million children across the U.S. relying on them for safe transportation to and from school. But even with their bright color and flashing lights, school buses are often overlooked by distracted drivers who don’t notice them until it’s too late. Whether you’re behind the wheel or riding the bus, staying alert is essential.

Let’s make riding the bus safer for kids. Whether you’re a driver, parent, or student, your actions can make a life-saving difference. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe this school year and every school year.

Safety tips for drivers

Drivers (non-school bus) play a critical role in ensuring kids get on and off the school bus safely. All drivers need to:

• Watch for children walking or biking as you back out of driveways—kids may be distracted (talking, texting, or playing games) and unaware of your vehicle.
• Know your neighborhood bus stops. Children often play while waiting for the bus and may accidentally step or fall into the street as you are driving by.
• Always drive defensively in school zones and residential areas —stay alert and anticipate sudden movements.
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when you see yellow flashing lights on a bus—it is preparing to pick up or drop off kids.
• Stop completely—and at a safe distance— when red lights flash and the stop arm extends. It’s not just courteous—it’s the law.

“Did you know that the school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the road? Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles.”

 

Safety Tips for Bus Riders

Students can help keep themselves and others safe by following a few simple guidelines:

• Avoid roughhousing (and other careless behavior) while waiting for or boarding the bus.
• Approach the bus only after it stops and the door opens.
• Stay seated and quiet to avoid distracting the driver.
• Keep aisles clear of backpacks, books, and other debris.
• Wait for a full stop before standing and preparing to exit.
• Use the handrail when boarding or exiting.
• Cross in front of the bus only when you can see the driver —about 10 feet ahead.
• Look left, right, then left again before crossing any street.

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Ready to take action? Share these School Bus Safety Tips with your community or print them for your fridge or classroom!

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Helpful School Bus Safety Resources

• Back to School: Safety Around School Buses (National Safety Council)
• Safety tips to remember when near a school bus on the road (CBS News)
• What You Should Know About Sharing the Road with School Buses (AAA Connect)
• Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road (National Safety Council)

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published August 25, 2015. It was reviewed and edited on October 13, 2022, and August 12, 2025, updated for content and accuracy, and re-published.

Photo Credits:

• stu99(Stuart Monk) Image file – via depositphotos.com
• Milkos(Prostock Group Limited) Image file – via depositphotos.com