Safer School Transport Advice for Parents
It is your responsibility to make sure your children are taken to the picking-up point in good time and that they are looked after until school transport arrives.
For the homeward journey, make sure that children are met when school transport returns. Remember that children are often excited and forget road safety when they get off school transport. Please wait for your child on the same side of the road as the vehicle stops.
If you drive to collect your child, do not wait in your car since this may encourage your child to run across the road. Similarly, if you drive to the pick-up point in your car, please park safely so that you do not create a danger, and then walk your children to the pick up point. Do not let them run across the road at the last minute.
If you consider that it is appropriate for your child to walk alone between home and the picking-up or setting-down point, make sure that they use a safer route and bear in mind the following issues:
- the safer route may not be the shortest route
- be sure your children know how to cross busy roads and other road safety measures
- remind young children that playing around at bus stops and on buses can result in accidents and injuries
- make sure that your child carries his or her bus pass if applicable
- make sure your child does not wear clothing that could be dangerous, for example: - - Loose, baggy coats/outdoor clothing
- hanging belts
- belts with toggles
- fly-away scarves
- large bags/satchels with loose straps and/or flaps
- rucksacks that prevent small children from sitting back in their seats
- consider the use of reflective aids attached to clothing.
Most of the buses used by the Council are not fitted with seatbelts, however, all other vehicles are provided with seatbelts, all passengers must wear any seatbelt fitted to the vehicle as a condition of carriage.
Explain to your child the need to behave properly on school transport, to have care and consideration for others and to remain seated whilst the vehicle is in motion.
In the event of serious misbehaviour on school transport, there may be a need to ban individual pupils from the use of school transport to protect the safety of others. If your child is banned you will be responsible for making alternative arrangements.
You will be held responsible for any vandalism caused by your child. CCTV is fitted on all school buses and some other vehicles used by the Council and will be used as evidence where necessary.