Bus Safety

An estimated 24 million students ride school buses daily. Many injuries occur when children are boarding or exiting because a blind spot extends approximately 10 feet in front of the bus, obstructing the view of the driver. Children are not aware of this blind spot and may mistakenly believe that if they can see the bus, the bus driver can see them.

According to Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts:

• There were 708 traffic crashes involving at least one school bus in Minnesota in 2004.
• In 2004, there were three fatal school bus crashes resulting in three deaths. All if the fatalities were drivers of other vehicles that collided with school buses.
  
• Of the 266 people injured in Minnesota school bus crashes, 97 were occupants of a school bus, 163 were occupants of other motor vehicles, and 6 were pedestrians.
   
  Nearly Two out of three fatal school bus crashes (65%) occurred during the hours of 6:00-9:00a.m. and 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  
• Forty-four percent of school bus crashes occurred where there was no traffic control device and less than 4% of the crashes occurred when the school bus stop arm was deployed. Fifteen injuries occurred in crashes where the school bus stop arm was in use.

The Minnesota Safety Council and Safe Kids Minnesota offer these guidelines to help parents and children stay safe:

• A child's behavior at the bus stop is an important aspect of school bus safety. While waiting for the bus, kids should stay out of the street. After getting off the bus, children should, if walking in front of the bus, cross at least 10 feet in front of it.
• While on the bus, children should observe the following safety rules:
  
• Remain seated at all times and keep the aisles clear.
  
• Don't throw objects. Don't shout or distract the driver unnecessarily.
  
• Keep your head and arms inside the buss at all times.

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