Safety Edition – September 2025

School days bring congestion: School buses are picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.

Back-to-school safety encompasses various measures to ensure students can travel to and from school safely, whether on foot, by bus, or in a car. Key areas of focus include school zone safety, bus safety, and pedestrian safety. 

BY THE NUMBERS

School Bus Safety

If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

• Never pass a bus from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children.
• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
• Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.

Emergency plans:
Establish a meeting place with children in case of emergencies. 

Communicate with children:
Have open conversations with children about safety rules and potential dangers. 

Review safety rules regularly:
Go over safety guidelines with children frequently, especially at the beginning of the school year. 

By staying alert, following posted signs, and practicing safe driving habits, we can all help create a safer environment for students, parents, and school staff. A few extra seconds of caution can make all the difference.