National School Bus Safety Week October 18-24

Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools recognizes this week as National School Bus Safety Week

Kids - staying safe on and around the bus. 

School bus travel is extremely safe. Although injuries to school bus passengers are rare, they most often happen outside the bus as students are boarding and leaving the bus or crossing the street. Remember these tips:

• Be at the school bus stop on time.
• Wait in a safe place well back from the edge of the road.
• Do not play in ditches or on snowbanks.
• Enter the bus in single file holding the hand rail.
• Find a seat right away and stay seated facing forward at all times.
• Do not place things in the aisle.
• Avoid rowdy behaviour. Do not throw things or eat or drink.
• Keep your arms and head inside the bus.
• Never distract the bus driver. Always follow his or her instructions.
• When you leave the bus, move away from the side. If you can touch the bus, you are too close.
• If you drop something near the bus, never try to pick it up because its quite likely the bus driver can't see you. Ask an adult or the driver to help.

When crossing the street to get on or off the bus:

• Walk at least 10 big steps in front of the bus, along the side of the road and look at the driver for a signal before crossing.
• Look all ways before crossing the road.
• Walk, never run, to where your parent or caregiver is waiting for you on the side of the road where the bus stops

Parents - what makes a school bus safe

Alberta regulations require buses be driven by specially-trained, licensed drivers with good driving records. And school buses must meet safety standards established by Transport Canada, as well as provincial requirements such as the requirement for a front safety crossing arm.

Drivers - always stop for the bus

Whether on a city street, highway or county road, and regardless of the speed limit and the number of lanes, motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. A flashing stop arm will swing out while passengers are boarding or leaving the bus.  Do not start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing and the bus begins to move.

THERE ARE PENALTIES FOR NOT STOPPING

View: Red Light Flashing Safety Video

View: Safety on the Bus Video

Poster Contest: School Bus Safety Poster Contest