Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is vitally important that they – and the motorists around them – take proper safety precautions.
· Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk and you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic
· Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming
· Never dart out in front of a parked car
· Parents: Practice walking to school with your child, crossing streets at crosswalks when available
· Never walk while texting or talking on the phone
· Do not walk while using headphones
· Always wear a helmet that is fitted and secured properly
· Children need to know the rules of the road: Ride single file on the right side of the road, come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk the bike across
· Watch for opening car doors and other hazards
· Use hand signals when turning
· Wear bright-colored clothing
· Teach children the proper way to get on and off the bus
· Line up 6 feet away from the curb as the bus approaches
· If seat belts are available, buckle up
· Wait for the bus to stop completely before standing
· Do not cross in front of the bus if possible, or walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the other drivers
· Don’t block crosswalks
· Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and take extra care in school zones
· Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
· Never pass a bus loading or unloading children
· The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus
https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/seasonal-safety/back-to-school