With summer winding down, school buses will hit the roads in anticipation of a new school year. As a driver, it’s a great time to brush up on your safe driving habits so you can confidently share the road with school buses.
You play an important role in creating a safe environment as school buses pick up and drop off children. School buses are among the safest modes of transport. However, it’s when children are walking to a bus stop or getting on or off a bus that they are most at risk of being hit by other vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) July 2026 Traffic Safety Facts, between 2015 and 2024 “there were more fatalities among pedestrians (162) than occupants of school transportation vehicles (119) in school-transportation-related traffic crashes.” The key findings also state, “Most (70%) of the people killed in school-transportation-related traffic crashes were occupants of other vehicles.”
Grange Insurance Technical Design Manager and Risk Control expert Peter Mull says, “A good rule of thumb is, when you see a school bus on the road, drive like you know the people on board. Remember your good driving habits and slow down to make our roads safer for everyone, but especially school children.”
Luckily, there are ways to share the road safely. Here are four ways you can practice safe driving habits this school year:
1. Heed the flashing lights of a stopped school bus
In all 50 states, it’s the law to stop for a stopped school bus with flashing lights. The lights indicate one of the following is happening:
- Flashing yellow lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle to allow for safe loading or unloading.
- Flashing red lights are usually paired with an extended stop arm, indicating the bus is stopped. Children are actively in the process of getting on or off the bus. As a driver, you must stop your vehicle and wait until the lights stop flashing, the extended arm retracts and the bus begins to move before you resume moving.
2. Know when to stop for a school bus
If you’re driving on the opposite side of the road from a stopped school bus, you may be uncertain if you’re required to stop, too. Turns out, it depends on the type of road and the school bus laws in your state. For example, drivers on the other side of a divided highway don’t need to stop for a stopped school bus. You’ll find this is a common law among most states. If you are unsure, assume you need to stop.
Do you know the school bus stop laws in your state? Check out this resource from Safe2Drive® to learn more.
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3. Be aware of school bus limitations
Because of their large size and cargo (read: children), school buses will have different limitations than your smaller vehicle. Keep these tips in mind when driving around school buses:
- Stopping distance—School buses travel at slower speeds, so be ready to hit the brakes to maintain a safe distance. If you’re driving behind a bus, leave a greater following distance so you have more time to stop when the bus stops.
- Railroad crossings—By law, school buses are required to stop at all railroad crossings.
- Limited visibility—Their large size can limit your ability to see in front of a school bus. If a bus stops in front of you, don’t pass it. There could be pedestrians crossing in front of a bus you can’t see from your vantage point.
4. Don’t drive distracted
As always, practicing safe driving habits while your car is in motion can protect you, your passengers and others out on the road. Never text and drive and focus on the road ahead of you. Maintain extra caution when:
- Backing out of your driveway or a parking space.
- Driving in neighborhoods.
- Approaching crosswalks.
Is it illegal to pass a school bus?
School bus passing laws vary state to state. Whether it’s legal to pass a school bus depends on state laws and other factors such as the number of lanes on the road. However, it’s a good rule of thumb to be extra patient with school buses.
Consider not passing a school bus regardless of the type of roadway unless:
- You and the school bus are both in motion and
- There’s a dedicated lane for passing (do not pass with solid yellow lines).
This method is optimal for safety of all passengers and traffic law compliance.
Practice our safe driving tips for a safer school year
Back to school is an exciting time, and school bus safety for drivers is one important way to keep our roads safe. Consider reminding your neighbors and friends about school bus safety tips for drivers.
It’s up to all of us, no matter where we go, to drive with extra care at peak times for school buses.
References:
- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts July 2026
- Drive-Safely.net
- Safe2Drive.com
The information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, risk management, or insurance advice. Implementation of any suggestions does not guarantee coverage, prevent loss, or modify the terms, conditions, or exclusions of any insurance policy. Coverage is determined solely by the terms of the applicable policy.