Arkansas State University 2016 Bus safety Paige Sullivan Courtney.Sullivan@smail.astate.edu Arkansas State University 2016

Facts Every year school buses carry some 24 million students From 1994-2004, a total of 71 passengers on school buses died in crashes. New York, New Jersey, and Florida have their own laws requiring lap belts on all school buses These belts are not required to be like belts that go over the shoulder and lap like cars It simply has to be piece of material that goes over a child’s lap.

Safety Belts The American Academy of Pediatrics wants to see three-point safety belts in every school bus. Seat belts “limit the number of kids who can squeeze into a bus seat.” Instead, buses are made to be like “compartments” with the seats so thickly padded, it’s supposed to protect students in the event of a collision.

But what if the bus tips over? In October 2005, an accident occurred in the rural community of Plainfield, N.H. A bus taking kids home from school ran off the shoulder of a dirt road and flipped on its side. None of the 28 children on board was injured. All but one were wearing seat belts

Bus Stop Safety More kids die when they're hit by a school bus than when riding in school buses, according to the NHTSA. In the U.S., an average of five children a year are killed at bus stops. Many cars pass by bus stops illegally Meaning they do not stop when the bus is stopped or when children are crossing

Safety Tips Stay at least 10 feet away from a bus until it's time to get on. Then wait your turn and get on one at a time. Before stepping off the bus, look to be sure a car isn't coming. Don't linger or play near the bus after you leave it. Take 5 giant steps out in front of the bus before you cross the street. Be sure the driver sees you and signals that it's OK to cross in front of the bus. Before crossing the street, make sure all cars on the road are stopped.

Diesel Exhaust The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies diesel exhaust as a "likely human carcinogen," Exposure to diesel fumes has been shown to increase the risk for cancer. The exhaust also contains tiny particles that lodge deep in the lungs when inhaled. These particles may damage the lungs and may worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma. The EPA states that children are especially vulnerable to bad health effects from breathing diesel exhaust, which can occur as children ride the bus.

What can be done? Companies are making buses to run cleaner with less emissions. Older buses can be updated to be fit with a better exhaust that limits the output. An “ultra- low sulfur diesel” fuel is also available for just a few cents more per gallon. Grant money is also available to aid in these.

Bullying On The School Bus At least 10% of bullying occurs on the school bus. Two thirds of bullying go unreported, so this number may be substantially higher. Limited space and lack of supervision make buses a perfect spot for bullying. Middle school students are most likely to be bullied on the bus. They are also the most likely to be physically injured as a byproduct of bullying.

Who’s in charge? Those in charge of looking after the kids on the bus ride to and from school are limited with consequences and punishments. While school staff has the power to impose punishments like suspension and detention, bus drivers and aides have little authority. Those that try to intervene often feel unprepared to do so. Slightly more than 55% of bus drivers said that they received training on how to protect a victim of bullying from the abusers

Effects of Bullying Bullying can lead to: Bullies: Depression Anxiety Health complaints Decreased academic achievement Tend to grow up to be abusive adults Are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs Get into fights Drop out of school Have criminal backgrounds

Improvements to be made Educate students on the dangers of bullying, how to handle it, when to ask for help. Get the parents involved Students tend to listen to someone closer to home. Provide more bus drivers and aids with better training. NAPT and the Department of Education have come up with a training program. Make the training mandatory.

References http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/child-safety-school-bus-still-best#1 http://www.justicenewsflash.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1800CarWreck-Houston-Reports-School- Bus-Safety-Probe-Sought-After-Tragedy.jpg http://www.schooltrainingsolutions.com/_email/images/school-bus-safety_header.jpg http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Bullying+Prevention+Clip+Art&view=detailv2&&id=18E56F50D AF7F7073B89AEF173A6315DF201D452&selectedIndex=0&ccid=8qcykjwi&simid=607998161497293335 &thid=OIP.Mf2a732923c22e2b9fd4822e200ec359cH0&ajaxhist=0 http://www.educationnews.org/k-12-schools/school-buses-an-ideal-environment-for-bullying/