Sharing the Road with School Buses:

If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing.

• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children.

• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.

• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.

• Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.

Bus Safety for Students:

• Stay at least ten feet — five giant steps — away from the curb.

• Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals for you to board.

• Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.

• Exit the bus after it stops and look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street.

Sharing the Road with Pedestrians:

• Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic.

• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.

• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign.

• Take extra care to look for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.

• Don't honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way.

• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

• Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians:

• Look and Listen: Always be alert while walking and don’t assume that motorists, bikers and other pedestrians can see you.

• See and be seen - Dress brightly:

  Stay out of a driver's blind spot at all times and make eye contact with motorists when crossing the street.

• Walk on the sidewalk: Walk against traffic if necessary.

• When crossing the street, use a crosswalk.

• Allow plenty of time to cross streets:

  Stop, look left, look right, and look left again before crossing. At traffic lights, wait for the white WALK sign before crossing. Watch for turning traffic at intersections even when using a crosswalk.

• Cross with a crossing guard’s help when they are available.

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists:

On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions.

• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist.

• When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass.

• If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals.

• Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this.

• Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods.

• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars.

• Check side mirrors before opening your door.

Safety Tips for Bicyclists:

• Wear a helmet: Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmets every time you ride.

• Obey the Rules of the Road: Signal all turns and stops.

• Ride with traffic: Always ride on the right side of the road.

• Be visible and predictable: Wear bright reflective clothing to be as visible as possible. Be alert and plan ahead to avoid obstacles.

• Regularly inspect and maintain your bicycle: Be safe and keep your bike tuned up or take it to a bicycle shop for inspection regularly.