Back-to-School Tips For School Bus Safety

The end of summer is almost here, which means it is time for children in the Sunshine State to head back to school. Almost every Floridian would likely agree that one of the most important priorities for our youngest loved ones is ensuring that they receive exceptional education in a safe learning environment. And as we all know and are reminded every so often through real-life incidents, the need for understanding school safety extends beyond the classroom.

What is a School Bus-Related Crash and How Often Do They Happen?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a school bus-related crash is any crash in which a vehicle, regardless of body design, used as a school bus is directly or indirectly involved. These crashes typically, but not always, involve school children and occur as children are either boarding or exiting the bus.

NHTSA has also asserted that, fortunately, children are roughly 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a bus versus traveling by car. This is attributed in large part to the fact that school buses are one of the most regulated vehicles on the road and are specifically designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries.

However, regulations and improved designs can’t stop every school-bus related accident no matter how much safety measures can help reduce the frequency of these kinds of accidents. Since 2003, there have been over 1,300 people killed in school-transportation-related crashes. During that same period, 119 school-age pedestrians under the age of nineteen died in these kinds of crashes. The overwhelming majority (65 percent) of these young victims were struck by school buses. Others died while onboard school buses after an impact with other vehicles involved in the crashes.

Even one young child’s death is a tragedy. Therefore, as the school year begins, it is important that parents and children understand how dangerous a bus stop can be.

What Should You Teach Your Children About School-Bus Safety?

• Always look both ways twice before crossing the street.
• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before leaving your seat
• Exit from the front of the bus
• Don’t talk to strangers at the bus stop
• Avoid horseplay on and around the bus

Don’t Let Life Come to a Stop.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident at a Florida school bus stop, you are likely facing an extremely difficult set of circumstances. In addition to the physical injuries and the fact that it is always difficult to watch a loved one suffer, every emotion you experience in these kinds of situations is heightened when the victim is one of the smallest members of your family. The good news is that you don’t have to face these problems alone. The Orlando personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are the legal team that you can depend on for help because we have substantial experience successfully fighting for people who have been victims of others’ negligence. Contact us for help today.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Jacksonville, Tampa, Bradenton, Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Ocala and Daytona Beach areas.

Resource:

crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811890

https://www.pendaslaw.com/understanding-heat-related-illnesses/