School Bus Safety Tips for Students & Parents

The York County School Division Transportation Department is dedicated to providing safe, efficient and courteous bus transportation for students.

While safety is a priority for our bus drivers, we all have a responsibility to make our children's ride on the school bus a safe one. The drivers not only rely on school administrators and office staff to help them keep their buses safe at all times but they also need support from the children who ride the bus and their parents. Below you will find some helpful safety tips for you and your children.

Walking to the Bus Stop or School

• Supervise young children walking or biking to school or as they wait at the school bus stop.
• Consider sharing "watch" responsibilities with other parents so children have an adult present.
• If possible, develop a buddy system or have your children always walking in groups of at least two or three.
• Children should walk on the sidewalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• Leave plenty of time to walk safely to the school or bus stop.
• Children should be reminded to cross streets only at corners or crosswalks.
• When crossing a street, remind your child how important it is to look left, then right, then left again before stepping into the road.
• Remain alert at all times. Students should not wear headphones or text while walking as they may not hear the sounds of oncoming traffic.
• Wait for the school bus at least 10 feet from the road and further away if the weather is bad.
• Please instruct your child to run away if approached by a stranger and report the incident to a trusted adult.
• Whenever possible, please try to get the plate number of any suspicious vehicle in your neighborhood; particularly during the morning pick-up and afternoon delivery times. Please report this information to the police and the school.

Getting On & Off the Bus

• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before you get on or before you stand up to get off.
• If you drop something near the bus, do not pick it up as the driver may not see you. Instead, ask the driver for help.
• Hold the handrail while going up and down the stairs.
• Find a seat and sit down immediately.
• Do not wear clothing or carry backpacks with drawstrings or dangling straps. They can get caught on bus handrails and doors.

Riding the Bus

• Always follow the instructions of and be courteous to your school bus driver.
• Always remain in your seat while the bus is in motion.
• Keep bus aisle clear at all times.
• Talk and laugh quietly with friends so the driver will not be distracted.

NHTSA School Bus Safety Information