The Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding everyone of the importance of bus safety

The MSHP says students can help by being good riders. October 22 -26 is National School Bus Safety Week and the Patrol says its an opportunity for parents to talk with their children about their responsibilities as a passenger.

The Patrol is offering some basic safety rules for children riding a school bus:

 - While at the bus stop, pay attention to your surroundings and stay on the sidewalk or shoulder of the road. 

 - Be at the bus stop on time.
 - Board the bus single file, without pushing.
 - Stay seated while the bus is in motion.
 - Never put your head or any part of you outside the bus window.
 - Never throw anything out a bus window.
 - Keep the aisle clear of books, lunch boxes, backpacks, musical instruments, etc.
 - Talk quietly to your neighbor; never shout.
 - If a student must cross the street after disembarking, they should remain at least 10 feet in front of the bus. If your student can see the bus driver, the bus driver can see your student! Always check both directions before crossing.
 - If there is an emergency, listen to the bus driver for instructions.

Good behavior on the school bus can help prevent a traffic crash. Eliminating distractions and the ability to hear other traffic is helpful to the bus driver.

The Highway Patrol reports that in 2017, five people were killed and 401 people were injured in 869 traffic crashes involving school buses.

Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. When motorists see a stopped school bus, you are reminded stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway.

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