School Bus and Walking to School Safety: What Every Child Should Know

Quick answer: teach children to arrive at the bus stop about five minutes early, wait at least three giant steps (about 6 feet) back from the curb and never walk behind the bus. When crossing in front, they should walk at least 10 feet ahead, where the driver can see them, and wait for the driver’s signal. On the bus, they stay seated and keep the aisle clear. For walking, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises that children under 10 cross streets with an adult. Use sidewalks, cross at corners or crosswalks, look left, right and left again, put phones away and wear bright or reflective gear on dark mornings. Drivers must stop for school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms in every state.

The trip to school is one of the most routine parts of a child’s day, and for most kids it is also one of the safest. NHTSA calls the school bus the safest vehicle on the road for getting to school. The riskiest moments usually happen outside the bus: at the stop, crossing the street and walking along busy roads. Teaching a few habits, and practicing them together, helps children handle these moments with confidence. This guide is part of our family safety guide.

Guidance in this article comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Safety Council (NSC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Safe Kids Worldwide and the National Center for Safe Routes to School. Local laws and school district rules vary, so check your district’s transportation policies.

Why the School Bus Is So Safe

School buses are built to protect passengers. They are larger and heavier than cars, and they use a design called compartmentalization: closely spaced, high-backed, padded seats that absorb energy in a crash. Buses also have flashing lights, stop arms and mirrors designed to make children visible around them. NHTSA reports that students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely by bus than by car.

Most bus-related deaths and injuries involve children who are outside the bus, either walking to or from it or getting on and off. That is why bus stop and crossing habits matter most.

The Danger Zone

The area within about 10 feet of a school bus on all sides is often called the danger zone. Drivers have a hard time seeing children close to the bus, especially directly in front of the bumper, alongside the rear wheels and behind it.

Teach children to:

• Stay out of the danger zone until the bus has stopped, the door has opened and the driver says it is safe.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• Take five giant steps ahead of the bus before crossing in front, so the driver can see them. Make eye contact with the driver before crossing.
• Never go back for a dropped item near the bus. Instead, tell the driver, who can help.
• Watch for loose clothing and backpack straps, which can catch on handrails or doors.

Bus Stop Rules

• Arrive early. About five minutes before pickup prevents running to catch the bus.
• Wait safely. Stand at least three giant steps back from the curb or road edge.
• Stay calm. No pushing, shoving or games near the road.
• Wait for the stop. Do not approach the bus until it has fully stopped and the door opens.
• Use the handrail when climbing on and off.

If there is no sidewalk at the stop, children should stand well away from the edge of the road and face oncoming traffic.

Riding the Bus

• Stay seated and face forward.
• Keep heads, hands and arms inside the windows.
• Keep backpacks and instruments out of the aisle.
• Use seat belts if the bus has them, following the driver’s instructions.
• Listen to the driver and keep noise low so the driver can concentrate.
• Know the emergency exit locations; many schools practice bus evacuation drills.

What Drivers Must Do Around School Buses

Every state requires drivers to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, according to NHTSA. Rules on divided highways vary by state. General guidance:

• Yellow flashing lights: the bus is preparing to stop. Slow down and prepare to stop.
• Red flashing lights and stop arm extended: stop and wait until the lights stop flashing, the arm is pulled back and the bus starts moving.
• Watch for children near bus stops, especially in early morning and late afternoon.

Parents who drive teens or new drivers should review these rules together.

Walking to School Safely

Walking to school can build independence and exercise. It also requires skills that develop with age. NHTSA advises that children under 10 cross streets with an adult, because younger children have trouble judging the speed and distance of cars.

Walking Rules to Teach

• Use sidewalks or paths. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from the road as possible.
• Cross at corners, crosswalks or intersections with signals or crossing guards.
• Stop at the curb and look left, right and left again before crossing.
• Keep looking while crossing, and walk, do not run.
• Watch for turning cars and cars backing out of driveways.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Obey crossing guards and signals.
• Put phones and headphones away near streets.

Plan and Practice the Route

Walk the route together several times before your child goes alone or with friends. Pick the safest path, even if it is not the shortest. Point out crosswalks, safe places to go for help and spots to avoid, such as construction zones or vacant lots. The National Center for Safe Routes to School offers resources for walking audits and community programs.

When Is a Child Ready to Walk Alone?

There is no single right age. Consider:

• Your child’s maturity, attention and ability to follow rules consistently
• Traffic volume and speed on the route
• Distance and number of street crossings
• Availability of sidewalks, crossing guards and other walkers
• Local laws or school policies

Many families start with a walking group or “walking school bus,” in which an adult walks a group of children to school, picking them up along the way.

Biking and Scooters

• Wear a properly fitted helmet every ride. Our guide to bike helmet fit and safety rules explains how to check fit.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic, following local laws about sidewalk riding.
• Use hand signals and stop at all stop signs and signals.
• Wear bright clothing and use lights and reflectors in low light.
• Lock bikes and scooters at school racks.

Backpacks and What Kids Carry

Heavy or overstuffed backpacks can throw children off balance near curbs and bus steps. The AAP suggests that backpacks weigh no more than about 10 to 20 percent of a child’s body weight, with both straps worn and the heaviest items packed closest to the back. Clip long straps and keychains so they cannot catch on bus handrails or doors. Rolling backpacks can help, but they can be hard to manage on bus steps and in crowds.

Dark Mornings and Winter Weather

As days shorten in fall and winter, many children wait for the bus or walk in darkness.

• Wear reflective gear. Add reflective strips to backpacks and jackets, or use clip-on lights.
• Carry a small flashlight if the walk is long or the stop is poorly lit.
• Dress warmly for long waits, with hats, gloves and layers. Our guide to winter outdoor safety for kids has more cold weather tips.
• Watch for icy sidewalks and snowbanks that push children closer to the road.
• Leave extra time on snowy days.

Getting Involved in Your Community

Parents can make routes safer for every child. Join or start a walking school bus, volunteer as a crossing guard, report broken sidewalks, faded crosswalks and overgrown bushes to your city and ask your school about Safe Routes to School programs. Speaking up at local meetings about speeding near schools can lead to lower speed limits, new signs or added crossing guards.

Car Line and Drop-Off Safety

• Follow the school’s drop-off rules and traffic patterns.
• Let children out only on the curb side.
• Avoid double parking or stopping in crosswalks.
• Put the phone away and watch for children walking between cars.
• Teach children to wear a seat belt every trip and use the right car seat or booster for their size.

Safety Skills by Age

Preschool and Kindergarten

Young children are impulsive and small, which makes them hard for drivers to see. They should always walk with an adult, hold hands near streets and practice stopping at the curb. Turn crossings into a game of “stop, look, listen” so the routine sticks. At the bus stop, an adult should wait with them and meet them at drop-off.

Early Elementary

Children ages 6 to 9 can learn rules but still misjudge traffic. Keep crossing with them, and ask them to explain each step aloud: where to stop, which way to look and when it is safe. Practice the bus danger zone with chalk lines on a driveway or playground, marking 10 feet around an imaginary bus.

Upper Elementary and Middle School

Older children may be ready to walk or bike with friends on familiar routes. Review rules each fall, talk about distractions such as phones and earbuds and agree on check-in habits, such as a quick text when they arrive. Remind them that friends goofing around near the road are a common cause of accidents.

Teens

Teens face new risks as pedestrians distracted by phones and as new drivers. Talk about both roles, including how to drive safely around school zones and buses.

Making a Backup Plan

Children should know what to do if something goes wrong on the way to or from school.

• Missed the bus: go home or to a designated neighbor, never accept a ride from someone not on the approved list, and call a parent.
• No one is home after school: have a plan, such as a neighbor’s house or an after-school program, and make sure the child knows the address and phone number.
• Lost or scared: go to a crossing guard, teacher, store employee or another trusted adult and ask for help.
• Bus is late: wait at the stop, away from the road, and call a parent if it has been more than a set number of minutes.

Write key phone numbers on a card in your child’s backpack, in case they do not have a phone or it dies.

Behavior and Bullying on the Bus

Rough play, distractions and bullying on the bus can affect safety, since drivers need to focus on the road. Ask your child regularly how bus rides are going. If problems come up, talk with the driver or school transportation office. Many districts use assigned seats or cameras to keep rides calm.

Talking With Your Child About Strangers and Getting Help

Teach children what to do if a stranger approaches, offers a ride or asks for help. A simple rule: do not go anywhere with anyone without checking with a parent first, and go to a trusted adult, such as a crossing guard, teacher or store employee, if something feels wrong. Our guide to stranger safety for kids explains how to teach this without fear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the school bus danger zone?

The area within about 10 feet around a school bus, where drivers have trouble seeing children. Kids should stay out of it until the driver signals.

At what age can kids cross the street alone?

NHTSA advises that children under 10 cross streets with an adult. Readiness depends on maturity and traffic conditions.

Do drivers have to stop for a school bus?

Yes. Every state requires drivers to stop for buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms. Rules for divided highways vary.

Should my child use a seat belt on the school bus?

If the bus has seat belts, children should use them as directed by the driver and school.

How can I make my child more visible on dark mornings?

Use reflective strips, clip-on lights and bright clothing, and carry a small flashlight.

What should my child do if they drop something near the bus?

Leave it and tell the driver. Never reach under or near the bus to pick it up.