Back to School Safety: Traveling To and From School
Posted on August 7, 2025
Navigating the Dangers of Getting to and from School
One of the biggest dangers associated with returning to school is the inherent risk involved with traveling to and from school. Whether your child is doing so on foot, by bus, by bike or by car- dangers exist.
Regardless of the chosen mode of transportation it is important to teach children the following information:
-
Make sure your child commits their home address to memory.
-
Ensure your student knows their parent or guardian’s phone numbers, place of employment, etc.
-
Teach students the proper procedure for when to call 911.
Safety Tips:
When Walking:
-
Know your school’s rules for arriving to and leaving school on foot.
-
Always walk on sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk walk as far away from traffic as possible.
-
Use the buddy system whenever possible.
-
DO NOT accept rides from anyone, ever.
When Driving:
-
Know your school’s rules for parking. Have all appropriate permits.
-
Limit all distractions (loud music, cell phone use, etc.).
-
Account for traffic and weather. Give yourself plenty of time to get to school on time.
-
Always wear your seatbelt and obey traffic laws.
When Riding the Bus:
-
Do not stand too close to curb. Leave plenty of space between you and the bus (about 5 giant steps).
-
Do not board the bus until the driver says it is time.
-
Never walk behind the bus. If you must walk in front of the bus, make sure that all traffic is stopped and ensure that the driver acknowledges that you are crossing in front of the bus.
-
Observe the bus safety arm to ensure that you do not get hit by the moving object.
When Riding a Bike:
-
Know your school’s rules for arriving by bike.
-
Limit distractions. Texting and biking is never a good idea.
-
Always wear a helmet.
-
Follow the rules of the road. Never assume that cars are going to yield to you.
-
If you are leading siblings or younger friends, do not ride too far ahead of them.
Sources: