Every October, National School Bus Safety Week is celebrated, focusing on the importance of safe transportation for millions of students across the country. This weeklong event, typically held during the third full week of the month, is dedicated to educating students, parents, educators, policymakers, and drivers about the importance of school bus safety and the role each of us has in preventing accidents. In honor of this important week, we will highlight some important school bus crash statistics, common causes of school bus crashes, and safety tips that students should follow.
School Bus Crash Statistics
According to a study by Brumley Law Firm about school bus crashes in the U.S., there were 976 fatal school bus crashes between 2013 and 2022, resulting in over 132,000 injuries and 1,082 deaths. The majority of these crashes (75) occurred in Texas, followed by Florida (74) and Georgia (60), respectively. Although there has been an average of 108 deaths per year over the past decade, the number of fatalities has, fortunately, been gradually declining. Despite these grim statistics, it is important to note that less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children in school vehicles.
Common Causes of School Bus Crashes
School bus crashes can happen for a variety of reasons, and understanding common causes of them can help to prevent future accidents from occurring. Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver distraction: Driver distraction is a leading cause of all types of motor vehicle accidents, including school bus accidents. It is important that school bus drivers, as well as other motorists, put aside all distractions while driving in order to reduce the incidence of school bus crashes. Students must all avoid distracting school bus drivers while driving.
- Poor weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and fog, are another main cause of school bus accidents as they can cause hazards such as reduced visibility and slippery roads.
- Reckless driving: Reckless driving, both by school bus drivers and other motorists, is another common cause of school bus crashes. This includes speeding, tailgating, and other aggressive maneuvers
- Illegal passing: Illegal passing is another major concern when it comes to school buses. Despite there being laws in every state making the passing of a stopped school bus illegal, drivers still disregard this rule, jeopardizing the safety of students.
- Mechanical failures: Mechanical issues such as brake failures or tire blowouts can also lead to school bus accidents. Therefore, it is important that school bus drivers maintain and regularly inspect their buses to ensure that they are in safe working condition.
Safety Tips for Students
While bus drivers and motorists play a key role in preventing school bus crashes, students must also do their part and follow safety guidelines to protect themselves. Here are some essential safety tips that all students should follow when riding the school bus:
- Arrive early at the bus stop: It is important that students arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early to ensure they have enough time to get to the school bus safely and avoid dangerous behaviors, such as running near the road.
- Wait until the school bus driver signals to you: Students should not approach or attempt to get on the bus until the school bus driver signals to them that it is safe to do so.
- Be cautious around the bus: Students must exercise caution when walking near or around the school bus. Ideally, they should stay away from the front and back of the bus where the driver has more limited visibility.
- Remain seated at all times: Once on the bus, students should remain seated at all times. This helps to reduce the risk of injury should the bus come to a sudden halt.
- Buckle up: Finally, if the school bus has seat belts, students should buckle up as it is the most simple and effective way to protect oneself.
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