Waiting zone
At a stop, wait at least 10 feet from the curb—often described as five giant steps. An adult should identify the actual waiting place; children’s stride lengths vary.
School-Bus Safety · A lesson at every event
Small habits.
Real-world safety.
Where you wait. When you approach. What you do next. Use a real school bus to make everyday safety habits visible—and easier to remember.
01 / Space & visibility
Start with the safety zone.
Five Giant Steps / Danger Zone Safety
The space close to a bus can hide a person from the driver. A bigger vehicle does not mean a bigger view of everything around it.
At RTD, the facilitator identifies the waiting area and explains the danger zone before inviting participants closer. We connect the space children can see with the choices they make at a bus stop.
Danger zone
Stay out of the areas close to the bus unless directed to board or exit. Never walk behind it. A dropped item is a reason to tell the driver, not reach underneath.
At the exhibit: Ask the facilitator to show the designated waiting boundary. Describe what you notice from there; do not explore blind spots on your own.
02 / The passenger routine
Remember S.A.F.E.
Four reminders connect the bus stop to the seat and back again. Open each one to explore the habit.
S · Stay back
Wait away from the curb in the designated place. Keep play away from the stop and stay there as the bus approaches.
Talk together: Point out your waiting place with a trusted adult before the first school day.
A · Always wait for the driver
Approach only after the bus has fully stopped, the door is open, and the driver says to board. Use the handrail.
Picture the sequence: Stopped bus → open door → driver’s permission. Seeing an open door alone is not an invitation to rush forward.
F · Face forward
Find your seat and remain seated facing forward. Keep the aisle clear and follow the driver’s instructions, including how to use any seat belt provided.
Notice the space: Where can your belongings go without blocking another person’s path?
E · Exit with care
Wait for a full stop and the driver’s direction before leaving. Use the handrail. If crossing is necessary, follow the school’s procedure and the driver’s signal; never assume other traffic has stopped.
Ask before the trip: Who will meet you, and where should you go after stepping off?
03 / Think it through
What would you do next?
Pause on the question before opening the explanation. The goal is to explain a safe choice in your own words.
Your friend calls from behind the bus. Do you follow?
No. Never walk behind a school bus. Stay in the designated area and get the driver’s or supervising adult’s attention.
Why it matters: A familiar voice can pull your attention away from where your feet are going. Practice answering, “I’ll wait here,” rather than following someone into a hidden area.
You need to cross in front. Is eye contact enough?
Eye contact helps establish that the driver sees you; it does not stop other traffic. Use the school’s crossing procedure and the driver’s direction. NHTSA advises being at least 10 feet in front of the bus before crossing.
Talk with your school: Ask the transportation team to explain the crossing signal and what your child should do if anything is unclear. Do not improvise a shortcut close to the bumper.
A water bottle rolls beside a wheel. Can you quickly grab it?
Leave it and tell the driver. A moment spent bending down can put a child out of sight.
Practice the response: Say what fell and where it went. Asking for help is the correct action even when the object seems easy to reach.
Safety reference: NHTSA school-bus safety guidance ↗. Follow the instructions of your school’s transportation team for your actual route. RTD demonstrations use a supervised, stationary exhibit.
Bring the lesson to your community
A practical habit to take home.
Pair the safety lesson with Little Pre-Trip or discuss a focused visit for your group.
Plan a safety visit