Safety

Parents and guardians should discuss transportation conduct and safety rules with their children and share the safety tips below. Make the trip to and from school both safe and enjoyable—think safety at all times.


Safety Tips for Students Riding a Bus

  • Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

  • When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.

  • Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it's okay before stepping onto the bus.

  • If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

  • Use the handrails to avoids falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings, and book bags with straps don't get caught in the handrails or doors.

  • Never walk behind the bus.

  • After you get off the bus, walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.

  • If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

  • On the bus, children should talk quietly, be courteous to the driver and follow the driver's instructions. They should stay seated during the entire bus ride and keep the aisles clear.  

Safety Tips for Students Riding a Train

  • Be careful when going up or down stairs.
  • Stand back from the edge of the platform.
  • Never jump onto the tracks for any reason.
  • If the train is stuck between stations, stay in the train and follow instructions.
  • Do not ride between cars.
  • Do not attempt to get on the train after it has started moving.
  • If there are no seats, find a pole to hold on to.
  • Do not eat or drink on the train.
  • Don't write on the seats or walls of a train.

Safety Tips for Students Walking to School or a Bus Stop

OPT encourages as many students as possible to add healthy exercise to their daily routine by walking to school. In addition to the safety tips listed below, maps of safe routes to each school and other resources are available from the New York City Department of Transportation.

  • Always walk in groups and know the safest route. Never take shortcuts.
  • Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings and use intersections with crossing guards. Test the route. Stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields, and other places where there aren't many people around.
  • Cross the street in a designated crosswalk. Be extra careful in rainy, foggy, or snowy weather.
  • Always look left, then right, then left again before crossing a street and allow enough time to cross the street safely.
  • Know your home phone number and address, parent/guardians’ work numbers, the number of another trusted adult, and how to use 911 for emergencies. Have enough change to make a phone call or carry a telephone calling card. Never talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers.

Seat Belts on Yellow School Buses

Section 383 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires seat belts for school buses that transport general education students and were manufactured after July 1, 1987. All OPT buses are required by contract to be manufactured after 1988 and to have seat belts. There is currently no law requiring that seat belts, where provided on large general education buses, be used. The only students mandated by the NYC Administrative Codes Sections 19-601, 19-602 and 19-603 to wear seat belts are special education students.

Safety Drills

All schools, including Pre-K and Early Intervention sites, are required to conduct at least three school bus safety drills per school year. The first must be during the first week of the fall term (the first five days), the second between November 1 and December 31, and the third between March 1 and April 30. The bus safety drills include practice and instruction in the location, use and operation of the emergency door, fire extinguishers, first-aid equipment and windows as a means of escape in case of fire or accident. Principals use the safety drill completion form to document the drills.