Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers: School Bus Safety

One of the biggest indicators that school is back in session are the big yellow school buses traversing local streets. Millions of children take the bus to school every day around the country, and while school buses are a safe method of transportation, it is important to remember several safety tips to minimize the likelihood of any type of car or bus accident.

Teaching Children to Stay Safe While Waiting for the School Bus

Children should be aware of common sense safety tips while waiting for the bus. They should wait on the curb or side of the road at least 10 feet from the street, and should not approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop. Instead of simply checking if the coast is clear, children should look to the left, then to the right, then to the left again before crossing the street, and must cross slowly without running.

Seat Safety while Riding the School Bus

In order to promote safety while riding the bus, children should stay seated in their seats. Sticking one’s head, hands or arms out the window increases risk of injury as does leaving books and bags in the aisle of the bus. Children should not distract the driver and must wait until the bus is completely stopped before standing up to disembark.

Staying Safe While Exiting the School Bus

When exiting a school bus, children should first check for oncoming traffic, then take at least five large steps away from the vehicle. Watch out for backpacks or loose pieces of clothing that can become stuck in the doors of a school bus. Children should never return to the bus for a forgotten item and should make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing in front of the bus. Additionally, it is important to instruct children to never bend down near buses because bus drivers may not see a small child who is bending over.

The majority of school bus accidents injure student pedestrians versus riders. Due to this, bus stop safety is extremely important. Although it is illegal to pass stopped school buses, drivers continue to do so, adding to the risk that a disembarking student could be involved in an accident. Remembering these safety tips can save lives.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Represent Victims of School Bus Accidents

School buses are generally a safe method of transportation. Unfortunately, accidents can still occur. If your child has been injured in an accident, Galfand Berger can help. We are Philadelphia bus injury lawyers who know how to investigate bus accidents. Contact us today to set up a free consultation and get started with your claim. Please call 1-800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online. Our offices are located in Center City, Philadelphia.