Know the Danger Zone! Tranportation Safety

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Know the Danger Zone!

The Danger Zone is the 12 foot area that surrounds a stopped school bus where the bus driver might not see you or where cars might be moving when you are getting on and off the school bus.

  • Stay away from the dangerous areas where it is difficult for the bus driver to see you with their direct vision.

    • Near the right and left front tires

    • Near the right rear tires

    • Near the front door

  • Make sure you are always able to see the driver when outside the school bus.

  • NEVER return to the bus for something you left behind or dropped without getting the bus driver’s attention.

    • Leave any object and move to a point, out of the danger zone.

    • Then get the driver’s attention by putting your hands and arms above your head and waving.

    • Wait for the driver to see you and give you instructions before returning to the bus or before picking up anything dropped near the bus. If you do not get the driver’s attention, you should not attempt to retrieve the item.

  • Be aware of the danger of passing cars that do not stop like they should.

    • The danger may be from cars passing from the rear on the left side of the bus.

    • Or from cars passing from all directions on both the left and right side of the bus.

  • Always be alert and focused when near the Danger Zone.

Bus with danger zones surrounding it. Most dangerous being directly in front of the bus and the rear right corner. A mild danger zone surrounds the bus. Both sides of the bus have immediate danger from passing cars 12 feet from the bus

How to get on the school bus safely if required to cross the road. 1. Stay on your side of the road 12 feet away from traffic. 2. Wait for the bus to stop and stop arm to extend. Wait for your bus driver's signal to cross. When you get to the edge of the road...3. Stop and look for traffic both ways, then check again. When it's ok....4. Look for moving traffic both ways as you walk directly across the road. 5. Cross - 12 feet in front of the bus in full view of your driver. Be careful in the danger zone and board the bus without delay.

How to get on the school bus safely if NOT required to cross the road. 1. Stay on your side of the road 12 feet away from traffic. 2. Wait for the bus to stop, for the door to open, and for all traffic to stop from both directions. When it's ok...3. Look for moving traffic both ways as you walk through the danger zone, directly towards the bus door and board the bus without delay.

Safe Student Behaviors if REQUIRED TO CROSS road AFTER EXITING the bus. 1. Look for moving traffic in all directions, especially to your right, before you exit. Cars sometimes pass the bus on the right side. When ok...2. Walk away from the right front of the bus in full view of your driver, going pass the extending bus crossing gate. Then stop and...3. Wait for your bus driver's signal to cross. On their signal, stay 22 feet away from the bus and walk to the center of the road and...4. Stop - looking both ways for moving traffic. Wait again for your driver's signal that it is OK, then continue to...5. Look - for moving traffic as you promptly cross and exit 12 feet of the road.

Safe Student Behaviors if NOT required to cross road after exiting the bus. 1. Look for moving traffic in all directions, especially from your right, before you leave the bus. Cars sometimes pass the bus on the right side. When it's ok, continue to...2. Look for moving traffic both ways as you promptly...3. Walk directly away from the bust 12 feet before stopping. You want your bus driver to see you leave the danger zone.