2. Safe Vehicles School buses are designed specifically to protect students on and off the bus with special safety features not available on any other vehicle Safety features of school buses include: Color Size and height Reinforced sides Flashing red lights Cross view mirrors Crossing & stop sign arms Reinforced Sides Flashing Red lights Cross view Mirrors Size & Height Reinforced Sides Flashing Red lights Rearview Mirrors Stop Arm Sign Crossing Gate

3. 3  According to the American School Bus Council, a yellow school bus is:  13 times safer than other modes of travel, including your family automobile, passenger trains, airplanes, transit buses or inter-city buses  Children driving to school or riding with teenage drivers are 44 times more likely to be fatally injured!  http://americanschoolbuscouncil.org/ http://americanschoolbuscouncil.org/

4. 4  “ THE DANGER ZONE” is the 10-15 foot area immediately around the school bus.  It’s especially dangerous because students can stand in places in which the driver of the bus cannot see.  The most DANGEROUS area is around the front of the bus and around the rear wheels  Students are to be instructed at least twice yearly about the DANGER ZONE!

5. 5

6. Elementary students (grades K-8) are entitled to transportation only if they live more than 2 miles from their designated school High school students (grades 9- 12) are entitled to transportation only if they live more than 3 miles from their designated school Riding time shall not exceed 60 minutes for elementary students and 75 minutes for high school students, unless limit is waived by the parent

7. 7 Always obey the school bus driver Stay seated at all times Keep the noise level low Keep your hands and feet to yourself Keep the bus clean Treat your fellow riders the same way that you like to be treated

8. Slow down when a school bus has the amber lights flashing Not pass when following a school bus whenever any of the amber or red school bus lights are flashing Whether following or meeting a school bus, other motorists should stop whenever the red lights flash or the stop arm is extended. Though other motorists are supposed to slow down or stop when around a school bus, sometimes they don’t! Generally, other motorists are supposed to:

9. Again, these are the things that other motorists should do, but sometimes they don’t! Since sometimes they don’t, you should always: Cross with care when crossing a street Watch for the school bus driver to signal you to cross Make sure you can see the bus driver – because if you can’t see the bus driver, the bus driver most likely cannot see you If you drop something near the school bus, alert the driver so the bus doesn’t run over you Never chase the school bus And remember the DANGER ZONE!

10. THIS is what it’s all about………….. Our most precious cargo – YOU!!

11. 11 Iowa Based Web Sites!  IDOE (Department of Education) www.iowa.gov/educate  IPTA www.4ipta.orgwww.4ipta.org  Iowa State Patrol www.dps.state.ia.uswww.dps.state.ia.us  Iowa Department of Public Health www.idph.state.ia.us  State of Iowa Official Website www.iowa.govwww.iowa.gov

12. 12 National Web Sites!  NAPT - National Association of Pupil Transportation www.napt.org  NASDPTS - National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services - www.nasdpts.orgwww.nasdpts.org  School Bus Information Council www.schoolbusinfo.orgwww.schoolbusinfo.org  School Bus Fleet Magazine www.schoolbusfleet.comwww.schoolbusfleet.com  School Transportation News www.stnonline.comwww.stnonline.com  American School Bus Council www.americanschoolbuscouncil.org www.americanschoolbuscouncil.org

13. 13 National School Bus Safety Week!  Always the third full week of October each year!  For more info, go to www.napt.orgwww.napt.org

14. Max Christensen Department of Education 515-281-4749 max.christensen@iowa.gov +++++++++++++++++++++++ Dave Kramer Iowa Pupil Transportation Association 515-247-4693 dkramer@ia-sb.org max.christensen@iowa.gov