Buses are one of the safest modes of transportation for getting kids to and from school. In fact, a child is at greater risk approaching or leaving a bus than travelling on one. Teaching kids how to behave to stay safe around buses is a responsibility that we should all take very seriously.

Children are vulnerable out in public – they are still developing their road safety skills and they don’t have the developmental maturity to cross the road safely without holding an adult’s hand until they are at least 10 years old.

They are also easily distracted. The school pick-up and drop-off is an exciting time and kids can run out suddenly from in front of or behind buses, catching drivers unaware.

The recent tragedy where a boy lost his life in an accident involving a bus here in South Australia is a terrible reminder that we must take bus safety for children very, very seriously.