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NC DPS »   DPS Services »   Safety Tips »   Bus Stops

School Bus Safety

Side of school bus and stop arm

When to Stop for a School Bus:

  • Two-lane roadway – All traffic from both directions must stop
  • Two-lane with a center turning lane – All traffic from both directions must stop
  • Four-lane roadway – All traffic from both directions must stop
  • Four-lane roadway with a median – Only traffic following the bus must stop
  • Four or more lanes with a center turning lane – Only traffic following the bus must stop

There are three blind spots where the bus driver can lose sight of a child:

  1. FRONT - It's never safe to walk close to the front of the bus. Children should walk five giant steps ahead of the bus before crossing in front of it.
  2. SIDE - Children should always stay three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
  3. REAR - NEVER walk behind the school bus.

Three children in a line getting onto a stopped school bus

More School Bus Safety Info

Tips for School Bus Stop Safety:

Parents
Parents or a trusted adult should be at the bus stop every morning and afternoon.
Keep children out of the road while waiting for the bus to arrive.
Establish bus stop safety rules for your child to adhere to. 
Make sure your children don't have dangling pieces of clothing, drawstrings on hoods, untied shoestrings, key chains or backpack straps that could get caught on the handrail or in the bus door.
Children
Be cautious about strangers.
When the bus approaches, step back from the curb at least three giant steps.
NEVER run to catch the bus.
If you have to walk on roads where there is no sidewalk, walk against traffic and out of the road.
Make sure you can see the bus driver's eyes when boarding or crossing in front of the bus. If you drop something under or near the bus, DON'T pick it up until you tell the bus driver.
If you must cross the street to get to the bus, always look left, then right, then left again.
Wait for the bus to stop before you get on or off. Use the handrail when you get off the bus.
Walk (don't run) three giant steps away from the bus when getting off.
If you leave something on the bus, DON'T run after the bus to get it.

 

 

 

 

Safety Tips

  • Personal Safety
  • Child Abuse Prevention
  • Fraud and Scams
  • Date Rape
  • Slamming
  • Substance Abuse
  • Internet Safety
  • Home Safety
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  • Travel Safety
  • Road Hazards
  • Highway Safety
  • Deer on the Highway
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Holiday Travel
  • Winter Driving
  • Bus Stops
  • Business Fraud Protection
  • Employee Theft

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Contact

NC Department of Public Safety

Physical Address: 
512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh
 
Mailing Address:
4201 Mail Service Center, 

Raleigh, NC 27699-4201
 

919-733-2126

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NC DPS
https://www.ncdps.gov/dps-services/safety-tips/school-bus-safety