Walking School Bus - road safety guidelines

• It is recommended that for every eight children there is at least one adult. 
• The bus route will have been determined and risk assessed. The route must be adhered to at all times. Any changes to the route will need to be risk assessed. 
• If any part of the pathway cannot be used because of a temporary blockage, eg road works or parked vehicles, the adults will need to divert accordingly. If there are persistent problems with a route these should be reported to the WSB Co-ordinator Carol Murray 486 8600 or Actionline 486 8600 for resolution.
• Where possible, the need to cross roads will be kept to a minimum, and use should be made of specific safe crossing places.
• Parents are responsible for their children’s safety to and from the designated “bus stops” and for seeing their children safely on and off the bus. Drivers and conductors must remain with the group on the authorised route. Both parties must take care when children join and leave the bus.
• Parents should have spoken about road safety to their children before permitting them to join the WSB. Drivers/conductor must inform newcomers about expected behaviour, reminding children to listen and obey instructions, especially in regard to stopping and crossing.
• Children must walk along the footpath away from the kerb: in an orderly manner in pairs when possible allowing other pedestrians to pass.
• Everyone should be made aware of the danger when crossing driveways as drivers may not easily notice small children.
  

Crossing roads

• When you are ready to cross the road choose a safe crossing place away from parked cars / corners / junctions, etc.
• It is not recommended that refuge islands be used with large groups of children if it is not possible to cross the width of the road in one go. Large groups of children should be accompanied by two adults, and it is advisable to cross the children in two smaller groups.
• When crossing, gather children around you away from the kerb, until you have decided it is safe to cross. It may be safer to cross them in a bunch, eg 3 rows of 4 abreast, rather than have them stretched out in pairs. Walk across the road looking and listening as you go. When you have crossed safely reform your group leaving room for all the children to gather away from the roadside and continue your journey.
• Remember that you are not empowered to stop traffic in order to cross. If any driver stops to allow the group to cross it is vital that you check that other traffic is aware of what is happening and has stopped before you step onto the road. There is always the danger of other drivers overtaking the stationary vehicle. It is safer to wave the vehicles on and cross when the way is clear.
• Remember, in bad weather it will take drivers longer to stop and it is more difficult for you to be seen. Extra care should be taken if you are wearing a hooded coat or using an umbrella as they can obscure hearing and vision.
  

Using safe crossing places

Pedestrian zebra crossing:

• Wait until all traffic has stopped before crossing the road. Keep looking and listening the entire time you are crossing.

School patrol crossing: 

• If there are school crossings on your route then you must use them.

Signal crossing at traffic lights:

• Make sure the group is assembled in an orderly group (i.e. four-abreast) before the button is pressed. Cross when the green man is visible. Do not enter the crossing when the red man is flashing.
• When using all of the above it is advisable that you make eye contact with the car drivers before stepping off the pavement.
• Remember to always check before you step.

Useful links

For more information, please contact Actionline and ask to speak with our road safety co-ordinator for walking school buses, or, for school travel plans, our travelwise to schools co-ordinator.