This week is National School Bus Safety Week. School buses are considered the safest way for children to get to school, as crashes are extremely rare, and when they do happen, fatalities are also rare, according to recent news reports.
The dangerous part about riding a school bus is actually getting to the bus stop. Nearly twice as many children are involved in fatal crashes in which they were a pedestrian than when they are passengers on a school bus, according to statistics.
To keep your child safe around school buses, remind them that the driver can’t always see them in the 10-foot radius around the bus. Children should make eye contact with the driver as a signal that it is okay to cross in front of the bus.
While waiting for the bus, the safest place to wait is the grass or sidewalk. Children shouldn’t leave the waiting place until the doors for the bus have opened.
Make sure your child isn’t wearing clothing or carrying a backpack that has dangling parts or straps that could get caught in the school bus door. Make sure they know that if they drop something under the bus, they should notify the driver.
By making sure your child is aware of these safety tips, you’re making sure that they get to school without injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that fatalities on school buses is .2 per million miles traveled, compared to 1.5 for cars.
As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I hope your child stays safe all year long, regardless of their transportation. In my experience as a Los Angeles bus accident lawyer, sharing safety awareness with your child can help prevent accidents.