Back-to-school safety lessons

Teach our youth to survive and thrive

Fall 2011: School bus safety refresher

Safety tips for motorists and students who use bus transportation

Review safe transportation behaviors
Tips for a safe school commute
Links to games and safety tips on the Web

Review safe transportation behaviors

It's always a good time of year for teachers, caregivers and parents to educate and remind children to practice safe behaviors when walking, biking or riding the bus to and from school.

In 2005, 18 percent of all children between the ages of 5 and 9 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians. In the same year, 17 percent of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes were between the ages of 5 and 15.

"Parents and caregivers need to remember that children are not small adults and need help crossing the street -- especially if they are 10 years old or younger," said Bloomington Police Officer Bret Anderberg.

Since 1995, 170 school-age children younger than 19 years old have died in school transportation-related crashes. Nearly 65 percent were killed by school buses, 5 percent by vehicles functioning as school buses and 30 percent by other vehicles.

Officer Anderberg encourages us to teach and reinforce safety rules early in a child's life so they develop good habits that last a lifetime.

"There are specific rules that children need to understand," said Officer Anderberg. "Parents and other caregivers must teach and reinforce these skill sets to ensure that their children enter and exit the school bus environment safely."

For more information, call 952-563-8861.

Tips for a safe school commute

Review these basic rules with your child.

Biking to school

Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
The helmet should cover most of the wearer’s forehead; no more than two fingers'-width of forehead should show above the eyebrow. The straps should be snug on both sides.
Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
Use appropriate hand signals.
Respect traffic lights and stop signs.
Wear bright colored clothing to increase visibility.
Know the "rules of the road." Visit www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm for more information.

Walking to school

Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.

Riding the bus

If your child's school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus. If your child's school bus does not have lap/shoulder belts, encourage the school to buy or lease buses with lap/shoulder belts.
Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
Do not move around on the bus.
Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing.
Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.

- American Academy of Pediatrics

For more information, contact:

Crime Prevention Unit, Bloomington Police Department
PH: 952-563-4900, FAX: 952-563-4936
E-mail: police@ci.bloomington.mn.us

Crime prevention tips