Many Missouri residents rely on personal motor vehicles to get them from place to place. They have control over where and when they drive, and often the decisions that are made behind the wheel. However, children are not in this position. Instead, children are often at the mercy of other drivers to keep them safe. In particular, children are often passengers on school buses, with little or no control over their safety. Instead, parents rely on school districts and bus drivers to make safe decisions for their children.
In many cases, this trust is misplaced. Missouri children are injured because of driver negligence or other reckless behavior. After hearing stories of bus accidents, many Missouri parents may ask what can be done to keep kids safe near school buses.
According to the Missouri Department of Social Services, there are many steps that can be taken to help keep people safe around busses. First, students can stay away from the street until a bus has come to a complete stop. Only at that time should children approach a bus. Once on the bus, children should stay seated and forward facing. They need to avoid drinking, eating and rowdy behavior.
When exiting the bus, students should avoid running. They should always walk at least 10 steps in front of the school bus and wait for a driver’s signal to cross. Even with a signal, children should look both ways as they cross the street.
While taking these steps can help to avoid injury, even in the safest of situations, a bus accident can lead to serious injuries. In these cases, Missouri residents should consult with an attorney for specific legal advice — which this post cannot provide.