ASTSBC - Taking the Bus

The school bus system in British Columbia is extremely safe. Although injuries to school bus passengers are rare, they most often happen outside the bus as students are boarding and leaving the bus or crossing the street. Remember these tips:

Why Do School Buses Remain Safe?
Province-wide regulations require buses be driven by specially-trained, licensed drivers with good driving records. School buses must meet safety standards established by Transport Canada.

Why Don't Buses Have Seat Belts?
Information from all types of school bus collisions demonstrates that the current school bus design provides a high level of protection to occupants and that seat belts may actually adversely affect the safety of children on school buses (Transport Canada).

Instead of requiring seat belts, school buses are designed and constructed differently from passenger cars. School buses protect passengers through 'compartmentalization.' Studies have shown that adding seat belts to the current seating configuration of a school bus can increase the chance of head and neck injuries. For a seat belt to be effective, it must be worn correctly, snug and on the upper thighs. Because school vehicles carry passengers from the very young to high school students, if seat belts were used, they would need to be readjusted and their use monitored. A seat belt not worn correctly may cause serious injuries.

>>> Arrive at your bus stop well in advance of the buses arrival time.

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>>>   Wait in a safe place well back from the edge of the road.

>>> Do not play in ditches or on snowbanks.

>>> Enter the bus in single file holding the hand rail.

>>> Find a seat right away and stay seated facing forward at all times.

>>> Do not place things in the aisle.

>>>   Avoid rowdy behavior. Do not throw things or eat or drink.

>>>   Keep your arms and head inside the bus.

>>>   Never distract the bus driver. Always follow his or her instructions.

>>> When you leave the bus, move away from the side.

>>> If you drop something near the bus, never try to pick it up the driver may not see you.

>>>   Walk at least 10 big steps in front of the bus, along the side of the road and look at the driver.

>>> Look all ways before crossing the road.

>>>   Walk, never run, to where your parent or caregiver is waiting for you on the side of the road.