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State Bus Safety for Grades 6-12

Added Jun 20, 2016 •

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Thank you for taking the time to make your ride on a Winston-Salem Forsyth County school bus a pleasant and safe experience. You are among more than three quarters of a million students in North Carolina who ride the bus. Every school day, over 13,000 buses are on Tarheel roadways, and they travel 180 million miles per year. That is equivalent to a trip to the Sun and back. So with so many riders and so many cars and trucks on our roads, it's important for you to know the proper way to ride the bus and stay safe. Your safety begins not on board, but when you arrive at your bus stop. While you're waiting for the bus, stay in your designated area. Don't horseplay or stand in the street while waiting for your bus. As the bus approaches, line up or wait quietly alone away from the road. At this point, remove any earbuds or headphones. Phones, iPods, and any other electronic devices should be put away. Do not approach the bus until it is come to a complete stop. The stop arm and sign will be extended. When the bus driver opens the door, look in both directions and make sure no other vehicles are moving. When all vehicle activity is at a stand still, you have the all clear to get on board. There are areas around the school buses known as danger zones. Ten feet in every direction around the bus can be dangerous as the driver has no way to see you. Avoid these areas as you approach the bus. If you have cross the street to board the bus, look both ways and make sure any cars are stopped, too. Only cross the street when no vehicles are moving. Walk quietly to the bus. As you step on board, use the handrail. Do not attempt to grab anything that may have rolled under the bus. Never, for any reason, go under a school bus. When you were on board, walk to your assigned seat. You can always talk quietly, but voices should remain low. Much like your principal is in charge of your school, the school bus driver is in charge of the bus. You must listen to the driver at all times and follow any rules the driver has. Stay in your seat. Do not stand up or walk in the aisle. Keep your hands to yourself, and never put your head, hands, or arms out of the school bus window. Getting off the bus should be taken seriously, too. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop. Walk down the aisle to the door, and once again, hold on to the handrail and walk down the stairs. Keep those danger zones in mind as you exit the bus and proceed to your stop. Students should stay away from bus wheels at all times. If you have to cross the street, move immediately out of the danger zone and walk at least 15 feet in front of the bus before stopping to cross the street. If you can touch the bus, you're too close. And, don't forget, look both ways. Head to your designated area. And, a special note to those of you who aren't riding the bus. Perhaps you drive to school each day. You have a separate set of rules that are just as important when it comes to keeping everyone safe. As a driver, you were required by North Carolina law to stop for all stopped school buses. There are no exceptions! When warning lights on the school bus are activated and the stop sign and stop arm or extended, you must come to a complete stop. The penalties for passing a school bus are severe, but the risk of injuring or killing another student is even greater. Watch for school buses and students at bus stops. As a driver, you must obey the law and stop. If you follow these rules on the bus and as a driver, you will help make each trip a safe one. We appreciate your willingness to keep all students in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County safe. And, we hope your ride is a pleasant one!

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