All North Carolina public school bus drivers are required to use hand signals to help students safely cross the road to board the bus. The North Carolina State Board of Education approved this revision to its bus safety policy at its July meeting.
North Carolina law requires motorists to stop and remain stopped while the bus has its stop sign and flashing red lights engaged. However, according to research conducted by NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Transportation Services staff, most school bus-related student injuries and fatalities stem from drivers who disregard the school bus sign.
"We have over 15 years of data to show that more than 3,000 cars per day are not going to stop. It's clear that public awareness campaigns alone won't reverse this trend," NCDPI Transportation Services Section Chief Derek Graham said. "The revised policy represents a more proactive approach to what bus drivers and students can do to stay safe even when motorists don't obey the law."
Drawing from national procedures as well as school bus safety standards and practices from across the country, the revised policy requires bus drivers to use a standard hand signal that tells students a roadway is safe to cross. The hand signal has the following three steps.
1. Driver holds up his or her palm facing the student until it is safe to cross.
2. Driver gives a "thumbs up" to the students.
3. Driver points with his or her index finger the direction in which the child should proceed across the road.
The hand signals empower the driver, usually the only school system employee on the scene, and compel students to consciously assess the roadway by looking at their bus driver before stepping into an active road.
Demonstration for K-5: Video Flyer Spanish Version
Demonstration for 6-12: Video Flyer Spanish Version
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Questions or concerns may be directed to Kevin Griffin.
You may also find more safety information at the North Carolina School Bus Safety website.