Author: Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey
Later this month, about 1.5 million North Carolina students will head back to school. While year-round schools and some charter schools have already started, most will return the week of Aug. 25.
They may get to school by bus, by car, or by walking. We all have an important role in making sure they arrive at class and back home safely.
Parents should talk to their children about safe travel to and from school. Drivers must watch for crowded crosswalks and school buses on the road. One mistake can cause a tragic injury or death to a child.
More than 14,000 school buses carry around 800,000 students on North Carolina’s roads on a typical day.
According to the National Safety Council, there were 128 school bus-related deaths in 2023. The vast majority of victims were not drivers or passengers on the bus:
- 9 were bus passengers
- 2 were bus drivers
- 87 were occupants of another vehicle
- 24 were pedestrians
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that in 2022, there were:
- 5,189 citations for speeding in a school zone
- 968 charges for failure to stop for a school bus
Passing a stopped school bus can add four insurance points to a policy, potentially doubling automobile insurance premiums.
Safety Tips for Back to School
For Drivers
- If you see a school bus with lights flashing, slow down and prepare to stop.
- Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children.
- Red flashing lights and extended stop arms mean the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off.
For Pedestrians
- Walk on the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic.
- Stop and look left, right, and left again before crossing the street. Never dart out from behind a parked car.
- Parents: Practice walking to school with your child, using streets or crosswalks when available.
- Never walk while texting or talking on the phone.
- Avoid using headphones while walking.
For Bike Riders
- Always wear a properly fitted and secured helmet.
- Ride single file on the right side of the road.
- Come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk your bike across.
- Watch for opening car doors and other hazards.
- Use hand signals when turning.
- Wear bright-colored clothing.
For Bus Riders
- Learn and practice the correct way to get on and off the bus.
- Stand at least six feet away from the curb while waiting.
- Buckle seat belts if available.
- Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before standing.
- If crossing the street, walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
For Motorists in School Zones
- Don’t block crosswalks.
- Yield to pedestrians and take extra precautions in school zones.
- Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
- Stop far enough behind a school bus to give children room to safely enter and exit. Remember—the 10 feet around a bus is the most dangerous area for children.
Thank you for paying attention to safety.