School bus safety: Tips for students, parents, drivers, and schools

Every day, nearly 25 million students ride a school bus. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, students are 70 times more likely to arrive safely when traveling by bus compared to a car.

School buses are designed with safety in mind—flashing lights, stop-sign arms, high visibility, and strict regulations—but everyone still plays a role in keeping kids safe. These school bus safety tips can help parents, students, drivers, and schools work together to prevent accidents.

School bus safety tips for students and parents

Talking with your child about school bus safety is one of the easiest ways to keep them safe on their daily ride. The American School Bus Council recommends the following:

At the bus stop

• Arrive at least five minutes before the bus
• Stand six feet (about three giant steps) away from the curb

Getting on and off the bus

• Wait until the bus has stopped and the door is open before approaching
• Always use handrails when boarding or exiting

Around the bus

• Whenever possible, arrange pick-ups and drop-offs on the same side of the street
• If crossing is required, always cross in front of the bus and stay at least 10 feet (five giant steps) away
• Make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing
• If you drop something near the bus, don’t pick it up—let the driver know

School bus safety for drivers

Each school year, yellow buses move through neighborhoods, highways, and rural roads. It’s critical for all drivers to follow school bus safety laws to protect children getting on and off.

Here are five key rules for drivers:

1. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop; slow down and get ready to stop
2. Red flashing lights and stop arms mean traffic in both directions must stop on two-lane roads
3. Check your state traffic laws involving more than two lanes; for example, on four-lane roads in Iowa, only traffic behind the bus must stop; while oncoming traffic should slow down and proceed with caution
4. Stop at least 15 feet away from the bus
5. Stay stopped until the lights are off and the stop arm is pulled back

How schools can promote school bus safety

Schools and districts can make a big difference by creating and enforcing strong fleet safety programs. A comprehensive plan should include:

• Clear procedures: Emergency response plans, contingency routes, discipline and distracted driving policies, and clear communication with parents, drivers, and students
• Driver selection: Thorough background checks, motor vehicle record reviews, and defined job requirements (CDL licensing, endorsements, medical clearance)
• Driver training: Ongoing training on regulations, district procedures, and safe driving practices, including ride-alongs and accident reviews
• Performance evaluations: Annual reviews of drivers through ride-alongs or monitoring, along with regular MVR checks
• Bus route evaluations: Annual reviews of routes to identify hazards such as blind corners, steep grades, or dangerous intersections
• Field trip protocols: Rules for supervision, route planning, and emergency preparedness
• Vehicle maintenance: Daily inspections by drivers, regular inspections by maintenance staff, and immediate removal of unsafe vehicles from service; safety features like crash protection, fire resistance, and emergency equipment should always be priorities when purchasing buses

Keeping kids safe on every ride

School bus safety is a shared responsibility. When parents teach their children safe habits, drivers stay alert on the road, and schools enforce strong transportation policies, we create safer communities for everyone. Together, these simple steps help ensure every student arrives at school and home safely.