School Bus Safety

Caution: These following stories are very extreme examples of the dangers posed to unsupervised kids while riding a school bus. While these graphic injuries represent relatively rare accidents, we feel they effectively demonstrate the seriousness of keeping order anytime kids are in a moving vehicle.

Shocking School Bus Fatalities

A 13-year-old Minneapolis boy had just boarded a school bus and leaned out the window to wave goodbye to his friends, when the bus driver began to pull away, not realizing the boy was hanging out of the window. The bus was only going 15-20 MPH when the back of the boys head struck a sign pole. He suffered extensive head and neck trauma and was killed instantly in front of dozens of other children.

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A 16-year-old boy on his way to school was chatting with friends when the bus driver suddenly swerved, apparently to avoid an object in the road. Like many other kids on the bus, he leaned out of the window to see what caused the driver to swerve. The bus, traveling approximately 30-35 mph, drove close to some trees that collided with the boy’s head and neck. The driver stopped the bus immediately after hearing the other kids scream. Paramedics arrived quickly, but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

In both of these instances the drivers were investigated for their roles in the unfortunate deaths of these two boys. In the first case it was determined that the driver should have paid better attention to the position of the children before he began to drive away. School Bus AccidentsIn the second case, the family brought suit against the bus driver, bus company, and school district claiming they were responsible for not properly supervising their son.

School Bus Accident Statistics

The National Highway Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) conducted a study of all fatalities and injuries regarding school busses. While their study points out that riding on school buses is much safer than riding in a car or 15 passenger van, danger does exist, and drivers and passengers need to be careful.

  • 25 million children ride a school bus everyday
  • In 2005 school bus crashes killed over 130 people and injured approximately 11,000
  • 10% of these deaths, and over 50% of injuries, were school bus passengers and drivers

Rules for School Bus Passengers

School bus rides are often fun and exciting experiences for children. When organizations take children on bus rides it usually means they are going some place unique and exciting, but it is important to make sure all children stay safe and under control. It is especially important for chaperones on bus trips to maintain order because out of control children can pose dangers to themselves, the driver, and other passengers.

Rules for Riding a Bus

  1. Enter and exit the bus in an orderly manner.
  2. Stay seated throughout the duration of the trip.
  3. Keep head, hands, legs, arms, and objects inside the bus at all times.
  4. Sit with feet on the floor and face forward.
  5. Keep aisle free and clear throughout the ride.
  6. Do not distract the bus driver

Rules for Entering a Bus

  1. Do not enter the bus unless it is at a full and complete stop.
  2. Wait for the bus in a safe location away from traffic.
  3. Always use the handrail when entering the bus.

Rules for Exiting a Bus

  1. All passengers should walk at least 10 feet from the front of the bus before crossing the street
  2. The handrail should be used by all passengers as they exit.
  3. The driver should give a signal before anyone crosses the street.
  4. Do not allow anyone to cross from behind the bus.


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