Bus Safety

Close up view of a yellow school bus and its red stop arm

Keeping students safe is our top priority. Our Transportation Center staff facilitate a safe ride while students are on board, but we rely on our community to keep students safe throughout their entire journey to and from school.

Bus Safety for Students

Students, while riding the bus, are under the jurisdiction of the bus driver. It is recommended that all students, families of students, and teachers become thoroughly familiar with the following expectations and regulations governing student bus riders.

Expectations
Regulations

Expectations

Each student must be aware of the area surrounding the school bus called the Danger Zone.
- The Danger Zone is the area extending ten feet in all directions from the school bus in which serious injuries and death occur.
- When the student boards or leaves the school bus, they should cross only in front of the bus at the driver’s signal.
- If a student drops something near the bus, they should not go after it. Instead, they should tell their bus driver right away.
Students should always look both ways before crossing the street. Students should arrive at their bus stop at least five minutes ahead of the scheduled pickup time.
Students should never run after the bus.
When the bus approaches a railroad crossing, students should be silent so the bus driver can listen for an oncoming train.
Students should board and exit the bus in an orderly fashion, without pushing or shoving others.

Regulations

Per Illinois State regulations, transportation is provided from home to school and school to home only for students who live more than 1.5 miles from school.
Students must be picked up and dropped off by the school bus at the same location each school day, Monday through Friday.
Due to the number of students we transport, we do not allow guests to ride with the regular bus students to or from school.
- Transportation cannot be provided for birthday parties, overnights, girl or boy scouts, music lessons, dance lessons, study groups, etc.
- Bus drivers are not authorized to approve written or verbal requests. If a student has a special transportation need, parents or guardians must contact the Transportation Office at (815) 899-8106 at least 24 hours prior to transportation being provided. Requests will be approved or denied on an individual basis.
If a student moves and is eligible for transportation, families must contact both the student’s school and the Transportation Center to make necessary arrangements before the student will be transported to and from school.
Once set at the beginning of the school year, bus routes, stops, and approximate pick up and drop off times are not changed.
- Do not ask bus drivers to stop at places other than the regular bus stop.
- Drivers are not permitted to do this except by proper authorization from the Director of Transportation.
All students should arrive on time to their designated school bus stops to help keep the bus on schedule. This means that students should be outside and ready to board the school bus a minimum of five minutes prior to the designated bus pick up time.
Students should step on and off the bus in a timely manner, quietly, without crowding, pushing, or shoving.

Loading the Bus
Unloading the Bus

Loading the Bus

Stay off the road at all times while waiting for the bus. Stand quietly.
Do not move toward the bus until it has been brought to a complete stop.
If students must cross the road to be picked up, the driver, after looking for approaching cars, will give a hand signal to the students motioning them to cross.
- Students should wait for the driver’s hand signal and cross promptly.
- Students should NEVER cross behind the bus.

Unloading the Bus

Observe safety precautions at discharge points. If it is necessary to cross the roadway, proceed to a point at least 10 feet in front of the bus on the right shoulder of the roadway where the driver can observe the student. The student must wait for the hand signal from the bus driver before crossing in front of the bus.
Do not ask the bus driver to stop at places other than the regular bus stop; they are not permitted to do this except by proper authorization from the Director of Transportation.
Students should NEVER cross behind the bus.

DO NOT linger around bus loading or unloading zones.
DO NOT leave your seat while the bus is in motion.
Be alert for a danger signal from the bus driver.
In the event of a road emergency, remain in the bus until the bus driver gives instructions.
Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times. Do not throw anything out of the bus windows.
Remember that loud talking, laughing, and active play diverts the driver’s attention and may result in a serious accident.
Be absolutely silent when approaching a railroad crossing.
Treat the bus as you would treat furniture at home.
- Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.
- Any damage to the bus should be reported to the driver immediately.
- Students have a responsibility to keep the bus clean and do their part to keep the floor clear of waste paper and dirt and to keep the upholstered interior of the bus in excellent condition.
No eating or drinking is allowed on the bus.
No animals, birds, fish, etc., skateboards, in-line skates, weapons, toys (including but not limited to cap guns, water pistols, and baseball bats), glass objects or anything that could cause a potential danger can be transported on the school bus.
Keep books, packages, coats, and all other objects out of the aisles.
Leave no lunches, books, or other articles on the bus.
Be courteous to fellow students and the bus driver.
Help look after the safety and comfort of younger students.
Fighting, the possession or use of tobacco and smoking paraphernalia, possession or consumption of alcohol, vandalism (destruction of property), use of profanity directed at anyone; and insubordination of the bus driver is strictly prohibited.
Observe the same rules and regulations on other trips under school sponsorship as you observe at home and school. On such trips, students are directly responsible to the chaperone and teachers appointed by the school.

Bus Safety for Our Community

When should you stop for a bus that has its stop arm out?

When a school bus is traveling on a two-lane roadway and is stopped to pick up or drop off students, the vehicles in all lanes of traffic must stop. Vehicles should stop at least 20 feet before reaching the school bus to allow students to cross the roadway safely.

When a school bus is traveling on a four-lane roadway with at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the opposite direction, only those lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction as the school bus must stop. Students shall not be required to cross four or more lanes of traffic to reach their residence.

When a school bus is traveling on a one-way roadway and is stopped to pick up or drop off students, all lanes of traffic must stop, regardless of the number of lanes of traffic.

What is the penalty for passing a bus that has its stop arm out?

Why do buses stop at railroad tracks?

Illinois State law requires all school buses to stop at railroad crossings, regardless of whether there are students on board.

As they approach a railroad crossing, the bus driver will pull to the right-hand lane and display the hazard warning lights, stop the bus within 15 to 50 feet of the first rail of the railroad crossing, open the driver window and service door, look and listen for an approaching train, and then proceed across the tracks without changing gears.

Other vehicles should not try to cross the tracks behind the school bus until the bus has cleared the tracks and there is room for the vehicle behind the bus on the other side.

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