School bus safety is a community-wide responsibilty

Yellow school buses are the largest system of mass transportation in the country and is the safest form of transportation to and from school for children and youth.

Bus safety concerns of the New Albany School District

New Albany School District (NASD) will have twenty-seven routes traveling approximately 1,200 miles and carrying about 1,300 students each school day.

“Our main concern is safety,” said Larry Pannell, Assistant Director of Transportation. “We maintain our buses to a superior condition and our drivers are trained annually in safety.”

The NASD needs the help of everyone in the community to exercise constant courtesy and caution when they are near school buses, loading and unloading areas, and school zones.

Bus safety reminders for students

There are several safety reminders for students who use school bus transportation. Safety starts well before students load a bus and continues as they depart from the bus. Parents are encouraged to discuss these safety rules with their children:
Getting On the Bus:
• When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness.
• Line up away from the street or road as the bus approaches.
• Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before approaching the bus.
• Use the handrail when boarding.
Behavior On the Bus:
• Don’t speak loudly or make loud noises that could distract the driver.
• Stay in your seat.
• Don’t put your head, arms or hands out the window.
• Keep aisles clear of books and bags.
• Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat.
Getting Off the Bus:
• Use the handrail when exiting.
• If you have to cross in front of the bus, first walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the driver.
• Make sure the driver can see you and wait for a signal from the driver before crossing.
• When the driver signals, look left, right, then left again. Walk across the road and keep an eye out for sudden traffic changes.
• If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see other drivers and they can see you.
• Stay away from the rear wheels of the bus at all times.

Bus Safety reminders for motorists

The NASD needs the help of everyone to help keep our students who use our bus transportation safe at all times. Motorists should be familiar with these rules and use extreme caution to keep our students safe:
• Obey speed limits and slow down when driving in school zones.
• Watch for students who may be walking to school or may be waiting at school bus stops.
• Pay attention to school bus traffic.
• Yellow flashing lights indicate that a bus is preparing to stop to load or unload students Please begin slowing down and prepare to stop.
• Never pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended and red lights flashing. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.

“Our main priority is to get our students to and from school safely each day,” said Lecia Stubblefield, Director of Transportation. “Our school bus drivers do a great job, but they need the cooperation of other motorists to maintain and improve the safety of our students.”

Melanie Shannon
Public Relations
New Albany Schools