Do you know all of Missouri’s school bus laws? When it comes to child safety, the rules become a bit more stringent. Test your knowledge and make sure you are keeping your community’s kids safe during School Bus Safety Week. 

Tips for Drivers

Stop When They Stop
Throughout the state of Missouri, all vehicles are required to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children. This also applies to oncoming traffic on any type of road, except for divided highways. On divided highways, opposing lanes are not required to stop. 

Leave Some Distance
When a school bus begins to slow to a stop, leave 30 feet of space between your vehicle and the bus. You will know when a bus driver plans to stop when she employs her hazard lights and reveals the stop sign located on the driver’s side.

Prepare for Stops
School buses are required by law to come to a complete stop before crossing over train tracks and, of course, when loading and unloading students. Be prepared to stop and wait patiently during any of these scenarios. 

Tips for Students

Try Not to Rush
If your student is running late for the bus, he is more likely to ignore traffic near the bus and may come into harm’s way. Make sure your student is always ready for the bus and arrives to the bus stop safely.

Don’t Go Back
If your student leaves something on the bus or drops something on the ground near the exit, make sure she knows not to double back and to, instead, wait until the driver leaves the area. The large bus wheels provide a blind spot for drivers, and picking up stray items near the wheels could be fatal for students. Remember that belongings are replaceable, not lives.

Dress Safely
With the advancement in safety technology in and on school buses, the threat of getting caught on bus hardware has decreased. However, the best way to make sure your student stays safe and protected on the way to and from school is to avoid long-hanging drawstrings around the neck or waist. This will minimize the risk of clothing getting caught on handrails and doors.