According to the National Safety Council (NSC):
Most children who die in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old and struck while walking, either by motorists trying to pass a stopped bus or by the bus itself.
Back-to-school safety: School buses The NSC offers these tips on sharing the road safely with school buses:
• If a bus is stopped, do not pass it from either direction if on an undivided road.
• If the lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
• The area 10 ft. around a bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to enter and exit safely.
Back to school safety: Crossing guards The NSC notes that the following precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:
• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to turn
• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk or intersection.
• Always stop for a crossing guard or school patrol officer who is holding up a stop sign
Back-to-school safety: Eliminating distractions The CDC reports that three types of distractions can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash:
1. Visual: Taking your eyes off the road.
2. Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel.
3. Cognitive: Taking your mind off of driving
Sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, long enough to cover the length of a football field while driving at 55 mph.
