School Buses & School Zones
Riding a school bus is one of the safest ways for children to get to school. The dangerous part is getting on and off, when children cross the street or walk near the bus. Most children killed around school buses are pedestrians, often hit by passing vehicles or by the bus itself.
- All drivers
- Parents
Photo: school bus with red lights flashing and stop arm extended, cars stopped in both directions
The lights
| Lights | What they mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing yellow | The bus is about to stop | Slow down and prepare to stop |
| Flashing red with stop arm out | Children are getting on or off | Stop and stay stopped until the lights stop flashing, the arm is pulled in and the bus moves |
When you must stop
- On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop.
- On multi-lane roads without a divider, traffic in both directions usually must stop.
- On divided highways with a median or barrier, traffic going the opposite direction often doesn’t have to stop, but rules vary by state. When in doubt, stop.
- Stop far enough back (many states say at least 20 feet) to give children room.
- Passing a stopped school bus is illegal in every state, with heavy fines, and many buses have stop-arm cameras.
The danger zone
The 10 feet around a school bus is where children are most at risk of being hit. Drivers can’t see small children close to the bus. Children should take five giant steps away from the bus and wait for the driver’s signal before crossing.
School zones
- Slow down to the posted school zone speed during posted times.
- Don’t pass vehicles in school zones.
- Follow crossing guards’ directions.
- Watch for children walking and biking, especially in the morning and mid-afternoon.
- Never use your phone in a school zone. Many states ban it.
- In drop-off lines, don’t double park or let children out into traffic.
For parents
- Teach children to stand back from the curb and wait for the bus to stop completely.
- Make sure children cross in front of the bus, where the driver can see them, never behind it.
- Teach them to tell the driver if they drop something near the bus, instead of picking it up.
Standards & references
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