School Bus Safety in Albuquerque: Tips for Parents, Kids, and Drivers

The Albuquerque School Year is About to Start

Albuquerque Public School District schools are starting course on August 7th, and at the end of summer, parents, students, teachers, and school staff are preparing for another great school year. That includes bus drivers.

Whether your student takes the bus, is driven, or walks or bikes to school, it’s essential to be prepared for school bus safety this year. This article includes tips for teachers, students, drivers, and bus drivers to exercise safety around school busses throughout the year.

In The Article

School Bus Safety Tips for Parents

All parents should have an understanding of school bus safety, and what you can do to help. Here are some tips to ensure you and your little one are safe this year:

• Walk younger kids to the bus stop, even if they think it’s uncool.
• Get to the bus stop early and stay on the sidewalk. Don’t allow your children to play in the street while waiting for the bus, no matter how little traffic is around during pickup time.
• If there are streets to cross that don’t have crossing guards, be sure to show them the proper way to walk across the street. Have them pay attention to areas where it may be difficult to see other cars and teach them to make eye contact with drivers who stop for them.

School Bus Safety Tips for Kids

For parents of younger kids, you may walk your child to the bus stop. For parents of older kids, you may find that your child thinks it’s “uncool” if you bring them to the bus. No matter the situation, it’s always important that your children understand the importance of safety on the school bus and around school busses. Here are somethings you can teach them:

At the Bus Stop

• Stay out of the street. Never play in the street, even if you don’t see any cars or the bus.
• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early to ensure you don’t miss the bus or have to run to the bus.
• As the bus pulls up, stay at least six feet away from the curb. This can reduce the chances of getting hit by the bus if it accidentally hits the curb.
• If you have to cross a street, wait for the bus driver to signal you’re safe to do so.

On the Bus

• Keep the volume down. Avoid screaming on the bus. The bus driver needs to hear.
• Keep the aisles of the bus clear to avoid injury if the bus has to make an abrupt stop.
• Understand bus safety and pay attention to emergency exits during bus safety drills.
• If seatbelts are available, be sure to buckle in.
• Don’t distract the driver.

Walking to School

If your student is walking to school, he or she may encounter a bus along the route. Knowing, understanding, and respecting how school busses work and where their blind spots are is essential to pedestrians and cyclists. In 2023, 24 pedestrians and five bicyclists were killed in school bus accidents. Here are some tips for them:

• Always stay on the sidewalk when walking to school.
• If you have to cross a street and a bus is stopped at the intersection, be sure to make eye contact with the driver before crossing. Busses have a lot of blind spots, so don’t assume the driver can see you.

School Bus Safety Tips for Drivers

If you’re driving your student to school, be sure to follow the rules of the road when it comes to busses. Here are some tips that can help:

• Stay aware. In school zones and outside of school zones, children may run into the street and not see you.
• If you’re following a school bus, make sure you’re at a safe distance.
• Don’t attempt to pass a school bus in a no passing zone.
• When a school bus stops, do not pass it if the stop arm is out and/or the lights are flashing.

School Bus Safety Tips for Bus Drivers

School bus drivers can have stressful jobs. Not only are they required to get students to and from school safely, they are also expected to follow the rules of the road and watch for vehicles that are breaking the rules of the road.

Here are some tips for school bus drivers:

• Attempt to maintain order on the school bus to avoid distractions while driving.
• Obey the rules of the road for school busses.
• Make sure the children on your bus understand the safety hazards of distracting the driver.
• Watch carefully for oncoming traffic and cars attempting to pass you when you have your stop arm out or your lights on.
• Record and report suspicious behavior and unlawful behavior.

School Bus Injuries Are Serious

According to the New York School Bus Contractors Association, school busses throughout America transport around 26 million students every day during the school year. With over 480,000 school busses in service every day, it’s important to know how to exercise proper safety precautions, even if you or your child isn’t a passenger.

If you or your child were hurt in a school bus accident or an injury related to a school bus, contact Ron Bell Injury Lawyers today to learn how our expert team of legal professionals can help you.