Taking a school bus is a very normal occurrence for many students, however even after riding one every day they still may not know why certain rules are in place. When planning your next school field trip, it’s always a great idea to have a talk with the kids about all the steps they can take to help ensure their ride is as safe as it can be!
Top school bus safety rules
While your school bus driver might have their own list of specific safety rules, these ones are pretty universal for all school bus rides.
No eating on the bus
Most bus drivers don’t allow eating on their bus, and for good reason. Not only can food create a mess on the bus, eating while riding can result in allergic reactions if the food contains something that other passengers are allergic to or even choking.
No throwing things
Passengers throwing things while on the bus can not only hurt others it can also distract the bus driver. Any amount of time that the bus driver has to spend looking at what his passengers are doing and trying to calm them down, is time that he is not spending looking at the road.
No standing
Remaining seated on the bus is the best way to ensure a safe ride. Standing on the bus, especially while it is moving, can result in passengers falling over or getting thrown by sudden stops or large bumps in the road.
Store bags on your lap or under your seat
Just like on an airplane, a bag can bounce around and possibly become a danger to others who are riding the bus if it’s not stored safely. Keeping a bag zipped up is a great way to make sure nothing falls out and becomes a dangerous projectile on a moving bus.
Don’t stick your head, hands or arms out of the bus windows
There are many things that could be dangerous about reaching any body parts through a bus window. Bumpy roads can lead to hitting yourself on the window and causing pain, and you never know what may pass too close to the bus.
Ensure the bus aisle remains clear
Anything in the aisle of the school bus can block the exit in case of emergency. Keeping your legs pointed forwards and ensuring all bags are safely within the seats will help make sure people can walk to the front or back of the bus to safely exit. Bags left in the aisle can also become a tripping hazard for students boarding the bus or end up flying around if the bus stops quickly.
No talking loudly, yelling or fighting
Talking quietly to your seat mate is one of the easiest ways to help your bus driver concentrate on the road and drive safely. Yelling across the bus, fighting or using bad language can distract the driver and hinder their ability to concentrate.
Listen to the bus driver
The bus driver for your ride to school or class field trip has a duty to deliver students to their destination safely and the rules they set help them do this. If the bus driver gives an instruction, it is important to obey them.
Safety is the name of the game (so you can enjoy your destination)!
Regardless of where the field trip will take students, the day is made possible by a safe ride to and from the destination. Teaching students to follow the rules laid out for them by the bus driver is the best way to ensure everyone has the best day possible and arrives home safely at the end of it. Some rules may seem silly or hard to follow but the school bus driver is trained to maintain a very safe environment both on the bus and outside of it. The rules they set out for passengers helps to make sure everyone involved can enjoy their field trip and get home safely.
