Four steps to safety for riders on school buses - and cautions for drivers

School starts today - Tuesday September 1, 2026

Advice from Shoreline Schools

Those big yellow buses can weigh up to 18 tons, and not every driver on the road gives them the space they deserve. So before the wheels start rolling, let's review how to play it S.A.F.E.

S — Stay back at least 10 feet (about 5 giant steps) from the curb while you wait.

A — Always wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and for the driver to signal it's OK to board.

F — Face forward once you're seated. No turning around!

E — Exit only after the bus has stopped completely and always cross in front of the bus, only when the driver signals it's safe.

Grown-ups, practice it with your rider this week, it's a quick conversation that keeps everyone safe all year long. 

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This is all very good advice. Just remember that most of the streets in Shoreline / Lake Forest Park do not have sidewalks or even curbs.

The bus stop I drive by has a narrow strip of pavement, some dirt, and a drainage ditch. It also has 5-6 kids and a couple of parents. Another nearby bus stop has a curb against a neighbor's front lawn. Another is in front of a fence, or a hillside. I wonder if any bus stop in the area has ten feet of space from the street.

Just a little jostling and a child could spill into the street. Fortunately, almost every bus stop in the district has a parent guardian maintaining order.

Drivers: be exceedingly careful and slow down when driving by kids at school bus stops. And remember where those stops are for when it gets dark in the morning.

--Diane Hettrick