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The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) reports that more than 25 million students ride school buses every school day. School bus transportation is critical to the nation’s education because it is a link between neighborhoods and classrooms. In 2022, almost 3,000 crashes occurred involving Florida school buses, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department (FLHSMV).

The week of October 17 – 21, 2023 is set aside as National School Bus Safety Week to remind students, parents, teachers, and the community to always keep school bus safety in mind.

Fort Myers Child Injury Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. is devoting this blog to sharing 5 areas of concern for parents and school children as outlined by the NAPT and school bus safety for drivers from the FLHSMV.

5 Areas of Concern:

1. Getting Ready for School

• Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won’t drop things along the way.
• Encourage them to wear bright, contrasting colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers.
• Make sure children leave home on time so they can arrive at the bus stop before it is due, ideally at least five minutes early. Running after or in front of a bus is dangerous.

2. Walking to the Bus Stop

• Walk young children to the bus stop or encourage children to walk in groups. There is safety in numbers; groups are easier for drivers to see.
• Practice good pedestrian behavior: walk on the sidewalk, and if there is no sidewalk, stay out of the street. If you must walk in the street, walk single file, face traffic, and stay as close to the edge of the road as you can.
• Stop and look left, right, and then left again if you must cross the street. Do the same thing at driveways and alleys. Exaggerate your head turns and narrate your actions so your child knows you are looking left, right, and left.

3. At the Bus Stop

• Have children wait in a location where the driver can see them while driving down the street. Try to avoid waiting in a house or car.
• Do not let children play in the street. Playing with balls or other toys that could roll into the street is also dangerous.

4. Getting On and Off the Bus

• Warn children that if they drop something getting on and off the bus, they should never pick it up. Instead, they should tell the driver and follow the driver’s instructions.
• Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus.
• If you meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children can be so excited to see you after school that they dash across the street and forget the safety rules.

5. Mobile Devices

Cell phones and other electronic devices are often permitted on the school bus as long as:

• They are in backpacks or other holders, keeping hands free to use handrails while boarding and departing the bus.
• Sound is muted, or headphones, earbuds, or similar devices are used.
• Content does not violate the law or school district policy and procedures.
• Use does not create a distraction for the driver

School Bus Safety for Drivers:

• Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended.
• Motorists should always be alert and drive with caution around school buses.
• Parents and/or guardians should go over safety tips with their children to be sure they are safe on and around school buses. 

Fort Myers Child Injury Attorneys Aggressively Assist Victims of School Bus Accidents

Should you or a loved one be injured because of the negligence of another, please contact the Fort Myers child injury attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. immediately after seeking medical attention.

We represent people involved in numerous types of personal injury and wrongful death accidents throughout the state of Florida. All of our clients have unique personal injury cases. Our firm provides personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation.

Fort Myers child injury attorneys are available 24/7 at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or contact online at SpiveyLaw.com. There are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you.