Resources
The resources below are available online and can be located through a search on the web.
School Bus Safety and School Bus Driver Education
Identification and Evaluation of School Bus Route and Hazard Marking Systems
National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation
In this report, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation describes findings from NHTSA-funded research regarding school bus route hazards. NASDPT defines school bus route hazards, recommends a model for identifying them, and describes how to train and inform school bus drivers and school transportation officials these hazards.
Illinois School Bus Safety Program for Pre-K and Grades K–8
Illinois State Board of Education
This teacher's guide includes a ten-lesson program intended to teach children the basics of bus safety. These materials include age-appropriate lesson plans and activities that focus on safe skills and behavior as students in pre K through grade 8 walk to, wait for, ride on, board and exit the bus.
Kids, the School Bus and You
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
This handout presents tips and rules for children, parents, and drivers to help promote safety in and around school buses.
National School Transportation Specification and Procedures
The Fourteenth National Congress on School Transportation.
The National School Transportation Specification and Procedures are intended to guide states as they establish their own rules and regulations for school bus equipment and school transportation operations. Based on recommendations from the delegates of the Fourteenth National Congress on School Transportation, these specifications focus on the safety, security, and general welfare of student bus riders.
School Bus Driver In-Service Safety Series
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
This training program is designed for practicing bus drivers. Modules address: Driver Attitude, Student Management, Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety, Vehicle Training, Emergency Evacuation, Knowing Your Route, Loading and Unloading, Adverse Weather Conditions, and Transporting Students with Special Needs. Most modules require between one and one and one-half hours to complete.
Web Site of the National Association for Pupil Transportation
This Web site provides information about the association, its committees, its annual conference, and National School Bus Safety Week, as well as relevant links for pupil transportation professionals. It includes professional development and certificate programs for transportation professionals seeking continuing education.
Web Site of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services
This Web site features membership and contact information, as well as publications, reports, and position papers on topics regarding safety and best practices in student transportation. This site also contains information about councils within the organization, including the School Bus Manufacturers Technical Council, the Supplier Council, and the Council of State Associations.
Child Pedestrian Injury Data
Traffic Safety Facts: Children
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
This annual publication reports on traffic injuries and fatalities of children ages 14 and under. This report indicates trends in the types of traffic situations in which injuries occur and the age of children involved. It also details seatbelt use and effectiveness.
Traffic Safety Facts: School Transportation-Related Crashes
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
This annual publication highlights characteristics of crashes that occur during transport to school. It includes the time and type of crashes and fatality statistics. Crashes that involve school buses or vehicles functioning as school buses are captured in this data.
Pedestrian Safety Education
A Kid's Guide to Safe Walking
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Geared towards middle school-age youth, this brochure introduces basic pedestrian safety skills, including several safety tips for crossing the street.
Prevent Pedestrian Crashes
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
This three-page guide for parents and caregivers of pre-school and elementary school children offers basic information on child pedestrian crashes and safety behaviors for parents to teach to children.
Teaching Children to Walk Safely as They Grow and Develop
National Center for Safe Routes to School
This guide provides an overview of child development during the elementary and middle school years and how it relates to their pedestrian safety skills. Behaviors to assess and tips for how to strengthen a child's pedestrian abilities are included for three age groups.
Tips for Parents and Other Adults for Teaching Pedestrian Safety to Children
National Center for Safe Routes to School
This brief tip sheet describes how parents can be role models of safe pedestrian behavior. Other tips focus on choosing safe walking routes and the importance of considering child development patterns while teaching pedestrian safety skills.
Tips for Walking Safely to School
National Center for Safe Routes to School
This handout offers tips for school-age children. These tips describe how to increase safety when walking to and from school.
Walkability Checklist
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
The Walkability Checklist helps give insight into the walkability of a neighborhood. It contains insightful questions, allowing the user to evaluate a neighborhood's walkability. In addition to the questions, the Checklist provides both immediate answers and long-term solutions to a neighborhood's potential problems.
Web Site of the National Center for Safe Routes to School
The National Center for Safe Routes to School Web site features a variety of resources that focus on increasing child pedestrian and bicyclist safely, particularly during travel to school. Useful materials range from webinars to downloadable talking points to program development tips and toolkits. There are resources for parents, school staff, students, planners, Safe Routes to School coordinators, and marketing professionals.