Talk To Your Children About School Bus Safety (NAPSA)—If you take a look around the neighborhood, you'll see the yellow school buses are out in full force, driving their way through another school year. And while today’s school buses are the safest, most technologically advanced they have ever been, parents still need to take a moment to talk to their children about school bussafety. “The most important school bus safety rule parents should share with their children is to make sure the driver can see you atall times,” says Gary Catapano, senior vice president of safety for First Student, the nation’s largest provider of school transportation. “That means staying 10 giant steps away from theoutsideof the bus and always sitting in your seat properly when inside the bus.” BusSafety Tips Parents, please share these other important school bus safety tips with your children: Never run after the bus. If you drop something near the bus, don’t pick it up. Instead, ask the driver for help. If you have to cross in front of the bus, wait until the driver lets you know it’s OK. When crossing the street after getting off the bus, always look both ways and keep an eye out for other vehicles on the road. Wait for the bus to stop completely before you approach it to get on or before you stand up to getoff. Once on the bus, stay in your seat and talk or laugh quietly iu Bon Children should know the rules of school bussafety. with friends. Don’t scream—it distracts the driver. Never put your head or arms, or dangle anything, out the window. BusSafety Features Parents should also know that today’s modern school buses have many advanced safety features to maketheir children’s ride a safe one: Global positioning systems (GPS) that inform dispatchers of the exact location and speed of a school busat any time. It also provides a record of each bus’ route and all its stops, starts and passes. An electronic reminder system that aids drivers in checking for sleeping children at the end of each route. Well-anchored seats with heavily padded, high backs to absorb impact and create a protective area. Remember, riding a school bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school. For more information about school bus safety, visit www.firststudent inc.com.
