School bus safety

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder have issued back-to-school safety tips for motorists and students using school buses.

Motorists should be aware that it is illegal to pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload students.

• Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists MUST STOP their cars.

• Begin moving only when the red flashing lights are turned off, the stop arm is withdrawn and the bus begins to move.

• If you are convicted of failing to stop for a school bus, you could face the following penalties: 5 points on your license; a fine of up to $400 plus a surcharge of $80- to $85; up to 30 days in jail.

• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops.

Here are some school bus safety facts:

• The most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the bus.

• Fatalities (while loading and unloading school buses) account for approximately three times as many school bus-related fatalities, when compared to school bus occupant fatalities.

• More than half of the pedestrian fatalities in school bus-related crashes are children between 5 and 7 years old. Young children are most likely to be struck because they hurry to get on and off the bus; act before they think and have little experience with traffic.

Students riding a school bus should:

• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.

• Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.

• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says its okay before stepping onto the bus.

• Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.

• Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus. Walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead. 

• Stop at the edge of the bus and look left-right-left before crossing. 

• Tell the bus driver if you drop something beside the bus. Should you try to pick it up, the bus driver may not see you and drive into you.

During the school bus ride:

• Always sit fully in the seat and face forward; do not distract the driver; never stand on a moving bus; obey the driver; speak in a low voice; NEVER stick anything out the window.