School buses are the largest mass transit program in America, making about 10 billion trips per year. The safety record for school buses is unequaled in the transportation industry. The buses’ size, flashing lights, reflective devices, swing-out stop arms, protected fuel tanks and emergency exits provide additional safety margins.

The bus, however, is only part of the safety equation. Student behavior at the bus stop and on the bus is also a factor. Here are a few tips to share with students to help ensure a smooth and safe ride:

• No playing or shoving at the bus stop.
• Don't get up until the bus comes to a complete stop.
• Learn the driver’s name.
• Be courteous.
• Obey the rules.
• Pay attention when getting off the bus.
• Stop, look and listen before crossing the street. Motorists zooming past stopped school buses are one of the biggest safety hazards for students.

The transportation research board of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that every year, more than 800 students are killed during normal school transportation hours in other types of motor vehicles or as pedestrians or bicyclists, deaths which might be prevented if they rode school buses.