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Safety Tips: At Bus Stops

Student safety at bus stops depends on the efforts of many people:

• bus drivers
• bus monitors
• parents
• motorists

Bus drivers are trained in proper bus stop procedures:

• using overhead lights to warn traffic at least 100' prior to stopping
• extending the stop sign when the bus comes to a stop
• making sure traffic comes to a stop

Bus monitors, when available, help elementary and special needs students who cross in front of the bus on minor streets.

When bus stops must be located on major thoroughfares, stops are placed so that the bus stops in both directions of travel. With the help of driver and monitor vigilance, this ensures that students do not cross such streets.

Parental supervision at bus stops is a big plus in safeguarding children. With thousands of bus stops within TUSD, having a district employee at every stop every day is out of the question. As with classroom volunteers, parents who take the initiative in monitoring bus stops are an invaluable part of the educational process.

Motorists who pass by locations where students gather to meet their bus should always be extra alert, prepared to stop suddenly, and mindful of unpredictable student behavior.

Bus drivers, parents, and members of the general public can help as well by bringing to Transportation Department's attention bus stop locations that might be unsafe for children, or other conditions that arise at a neighborhood stop.

It takes the efforts of the whole community to protect our school children!