Federal law requires that manufacturers meet stringent safety standards for vehicles used by or for a district. These standards require school buses to be more conspicuous (amber and red flashing warning lights, stop arms and crossing arms), and have enhanced seating systems, crashworthiness protection, mirrors and emergency exits. What does this mean for the children that ride the “Big Yellow Bus”? It means they are virtually riding in a steel cage.

What are the safety features of the school bus that make it so special? 

Consider the following safety features of school buses that are not found in any other passenger vehicle:

• School bus seats are above the crash line so that the impact of a vehicle colliding with a school bus  impacts beneath the seated passengers;
• Rollover protection which specifies the minimum structural strength of buses in rollover-type accidents;   
• Body joint strength which specifies the minimum strength of the joints between panels that comprise the bus body and the body structure;
• Passenger seating and crash protection which establishes requirements for school bus seating systems for all sizes of school buses;
• Pedestrian safety devices with an automatic stop signal arm on the left side the bus to alert motorists that they should stop their vehicles to allow students to board or leave the stopped school bus, and school bus safety crossing arms which require students to walk at least eight to ten feet in front of the school bus to cross a roadway;
• Amber and red flashing warning lights to alert other motorists that the school bus is stopping to load or discharge students; 
• Mirror systems which provide school bus drivers with a full view of the front and sides of the school bus danger zones;
• Bus emergency exits (doors, windows and roof hatches);
• Bus fuel system integrity (a steel cage around the fuel tank); and 
• Fingerprinting, physical examinations (including drug and alcohol testing), training, licensing and permitting of school bus drivers.

The Edward Lanni School Bus Safety Act of 1997 requires all school buses in California to operate the flashing red signal lights when loading or unloading students at their assigned stops. 

Parent Notice: (CF4119.43/4219, 43/4319.43 Universal Precautions) 

If a student has a contagious condition such as ringworm, head lice, impetigo, vomiting, fever, etc. the Transportation Department will follow BUSD health service guidelines by taking precautionary measures which may result in temporarily denying transportation until the student is medically released by our staff nurse.

In the event of an unforeseen emergency or natural disaster all parents will be contacted via BUSD communication system. This is why it's important to keep your contact information updated on Aeries.