This is the time of year when many parents rejoice and that sends some children into a state of anxiety. September brings with it another school year, and children throughout Ohio will again return to the classrooms.

For thousands of students in Ohio, the school day begins and ends with a school bus ride. Dating back to 1966, no children have died inside a school bus in Ohio as a result of a crash. In fact, students are at a greater risk standing outside a bus than they are riding a bus.

Crashes involving school buses, however, can and do occur. In 1997, there were 1,960 school bus crashes in Ohio.

Before children go back to school, or start school for the first time, I want to cover some essential school bus safety rules to help keep everyone safe during this school year.

School Bus Safety Tips for Drivers

School bus safety for motorists begins as a close to home as the driveway. Backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage can be dangerous for children walking by. Take an extra moment to watch out for children walking or bicycling to school or to a bus stop.

Watch out for children in the neighborhood. These young people may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking about getting there safely.

Also, watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks, and for children playing and congregating near bus stops.

Be aware that children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

School bus drivers use a “flashing signal light system” to alert motorists of pending actions. These yellow and red lights are designed to help ensure safety for both motorists and children.

Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop.

Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before resuming to drive.

School Bus Safety Tips for Children

Children should get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. A safe way to wait for the bus is to stand at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the curb, and line up perpendicular from the street.

Children waiting to board the bus should wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver gives permission to step onto the bus.

Crossing the street in front of a bus can be especially dangerous. A safe way to cross is to walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps, approximately 10 feet, ahead of the bus before crossing. Students should be able to maintain eye contact with the driver while crossing.

A 'danger zone' surrounds every bus. Students should never walk behind a bus, and stay at least three giant steps away from the side of a bus.

Exiting the bus can also be dangerous. Care should be taken to check that clothing with drawstrings, and book bags with straps do not get caught in the handrails or doors.

Additionally, students should never go back for anything left on the bus, and never bend down near or under the bus to pick something up that has fallen.

School Bus Safety Tips for Parents

Parents can also take an active role in school bus safety even before the first day of school.

Many children are understandably hesitant about reporting a lost or forgotten item to their parents. In view of school bus safety, parents should assure their children they will not get mad if a child does not go back for a forgotten item such as a jacket left on the bus, or school work that accidentally drops under a wheel.

Also, parents should encourage their children to sit quietly in their seat and follow the driver’s instructions on school bus safety.

The important issues regarding school bus safety involves a commitment from motorists, parents, and children to be successful. Motorists must obey school bus warning lights, bus drivers must drive defensively, parents should help their children learn to ride safely, and children must be aware of the school bus "danger zone."

The Highway Patrol is committed to making the roadways in Ohio as safe to travel as possible. School bus safety is an important component associated with the larger topic of highway safety.

We can all help make the ride in the bus to and from school as safe as possible for our children, and make this a safe school year throughout Ohio.