School Bus Safety Week October 19-23

Beaverton School District and
Oregon Pupil Transportation Association
Celebrate the 43rd Annual School Bus Safety Week
October 19-22, 2009

This year's theme: Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm

This year's theme, Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm, emphasizes the importance for drivers to follow the rules of the road and stop when the red lights flash and the stop sign deploys and children are getting on and off the bus. The stop arm requires drivers in all states to stop.

In Oregon approximately 6,800 School Bus Drivers transport 282, 890 students daily to and from school, spread among 4,340 routes throughout the State. Our job is to ensure that they get to school safe and sound on each and every ride which is why we think it is so important to celebrate School Bus Safety Week.

For years, school buses have provided access to an education for millions of children in America through healthy, safe and secure transportation to schools. In turn, school buses offer solutions to four key issues facing our country:

• Safety: School buses are the safest form of transportation for students - and many times safer than riding in the family car.
• Traffic: Every child riding a school bus represents one fewer car on the road, especially in the congested area in and around schools, where children are at highest risk.
• Fuel Consumption: The ASBC estimates that school bus transportation saves Americans more than $6 billion a year on fuel costs. Oregon school buses drove 57, 147, 807 route miles in 2008.
• Environment: Students riding in the school bus instead of the family car means fewer car trips and less pollution.

Helpful Tips for School Bus Riders:

• Be alert to traffic. Check both ways for cars before stepping off the bus.
• Make eye contact with the bus driver, and wait for the bus driver's signal before crossing the street.
• Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus to cross the street.
• While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.
• Before leaving the sidewalk, look for the flashing red lights.
• Never go under the bus to retrieve something you've dropped.