How to Practice School Bus Safety This Upcoming School Year
August 24, 2021
It’s hard to believe that the school year is already upon us. Pretty soon weeknights will be filled with back-to-school shopping and homework assignments. If your child is returning to in-person lessons this season, it’s important to go over school bus safety — especially since Pennsylvania ranks in the top five deadliest states for school bus accidents.
School Bus Safety Tips for Parents
Before putting your child on the bus, you should discuss with them the importance of being SAFE. This acronym stands for:
- Standing five steps away from the curb
- Always waiting until the bus comes to a complete stop and waiting to board until the bus driver says it’s safe to
- Facing forward after taking a seat
- Exiting the bus only after children have looked both ways before crossing the street
In addition to this, parents need to discuss the importance of pedestrian safety with their children. Always remind children that they need to use designated crosswalks when crossing the street and to keep their eyes on the road, not their phones as they cross.
Parents should also dress their children in brightly colored clothing so they’re easier for oncoming vehicles to spot, especially as the winter season approaches and it starts to get dark earlier.
School Bus Safety Tips for Drivers
The back-to-school season means there’s more traffic on the road during the day. Drivers need to remain vigilant while they’re behind the wheel. As a driver, it’s important to know about the school bus laws in your state so you can be safe. In Pennsylvania, drivers must stay at least 10 feet away from a school bus that has their flashing lights and/or stop arm extended. Failure to do this can result in monetary fines and even driver license suspension.
In addition, drivers must always remember to:
- Obey the speed limit
- Avoid distractions, such as texting or making phone calls
- Practice safe following distance from the bus
- Stop and wait for pedestrians at crosswalks
Bus accidents can be incredibly scary and with these tips, you can help reduce the risk of accidents this upcoming school season. If you or someone you love is injured in a bus accident, the personal injury lawyers at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. can help you move forward with a claim for compensation.
Contact A Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer To Discuss Your Bus Accident Case In Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a bus accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients injured because of bus accidents in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Western PA counties. Call (412) 766-1455 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3634 California Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Home visits can be arranged in certain situations.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
