Oct. 22-26 is National School Bus Safety Week

The Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) announced National School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 22-26 and urges its members to help raise awareness to protect children in school bus zones.

MAPT is using an easy-to-remember slogan, “I see the driver and the driver sees me” to serve as an important safety reminder for the students, as they get on and off the bus each day. As it does yearlong, MAPT will work closely with its pupil transportation partners to help promote school bus safety during this one-week period.

“Students are the safest when they stay well away from the bus, except when loading or unloading,” said MAPT Executive Director Gary Bubar. “Children should be reminded to stay aware at all times in a school bus zone and to use their safe walking skills getting to and from the bus stop.”

MAPT offers three basic life-saving tips for children riding school buses:

• If you have to cross the road to get to the bus stop, make sure you do so only when it is safe;
• Every time you walk near a school bus, make sure you see the driver (and the driver sees you); and,
• Stay out of the “Danger Zone,” the areas around the bus where the driver cannot see you.

The MAPT's mission is to promote safe and efficient pupil transportation. For more information, visit www.mapt.org.