How Do You Ride the School Bus?

Message to Parents

The purpose of this booklet is to help your child realize his or her responsibility on the school bus. It includes the basic safety rules children should observe as they ride on the bus to and from school.

As a parent of school bus riding children, you also have a responsibility toward their safety. We ask that you become familiar with the bus safety rules and instill upon your children the importance of obeying them at all times. You can also see that your children arrive at the bus stop on time, and take the safest route to and from it.

Riding the school bus is an important part of your child’s education in safety. We want to help all children develop proper safety habits at an early age that they continue to use throughout their school years. With your full cooperation and support, this is possible.

Getting Ready

Get ready early, so you won’t have to hurry. Wear clothes that will keep you visible and:

• Warm, when it’s cold.
• Dry, when it is raining.

Walking to and from the Bus Stop

When you walk to and from the bus, remember to follow the safety rules:

• Use the sidewalk if there is one.
• Look both ways before you cross the street.
• Cross only at crosswalks.
• Obey all traffic signals.
• Always cross in front of the bus. Wait for the driver’s signal. A crossing guard may help.

School bus safety is very important!

At the Bus Stop

• We get to the school bus on time.
• We always wait in line for the bus on the sidewalk or shoulder, and we do not play while waiting for the bus.

Boarding the Bus

• We get on the bus single file, without pushing.
• Be sure to use the handrail!
• Do not go after anything that falls under or in front of the bus — tell the driver about it.

Good Behavior on the Bus

Good behavior on the bus helps prevent a traffic crash.

• Sit quietly in your seat and keep the aisle clear of books, lunch boxes, musical instruments, and arms and legs.
• Never throw things inside or outside of the bus windows. Your head, hands, and arms are safest inside the bus — do not stick anything out the windows.
• Talk quietly to your friends — never shout. The bus driver must hear the horns of cars and trucks. Be especially quiet at railroad crossings.

Remember: sit quietly in your seats, keep the aisle clear, never shout, throw things, or stick anything out of the window.

Getting Off the Bus

If you must cross the street after getting off the bus, do so at least 10 feet (10 steps) in front of the bus.

If Something Goes Wrong — Stay Calm!

• Stay in your seat and wait for instructions.
• Follow your bus driver’s instructions.
• Know where the emergency doors and windows are in case you need to use them.
• If you have to use the emergency door, exit safely.

Contact Information

Emergency Highway Assistance: 1 (800) 525-5555 or cellular *55

Email: mshppied@mshp.dps.mo.gov

• Website: www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov
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