Official Site of The State of New Jersey

The Office of School Bus Safety is committed to advancing the safety of student transportation in New Jersey through dedicated educational, compliance, and enforcement efforts. Our mission is to safeguard every student's journey, upholding the highest standards of safety in school transportation services.

Promoting Safety Through Education, Compliance, and Enforcement

“The safest way to transport children to and from school is by school bus. In fact, students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus instead of traveling by car.” (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - NHTSA)

The most dangerous aspect of school buses is loading and unloading. Unfortunately, some motorists fail to follow the rules by driving around the school bus and ignoring the flashing lights. This puts students in grave danger.

Most school bus-related accidents occur within a 10-foot radius around the bus, where the driver has limited visibility. This area is called the "danger zone." It extends to 30 feet in front of the bus. To avoid accidents, teach your child to use caution when getting on or off the bus and always to stay out of the danger zone.” (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - NJMVC)

Back to School Safety Tips

School is almost back in session!  Here are a few reminders to help keep our students safe this school year.  Parents, teach your children what it’s like to be at a bus stop, how to board a bus, how to behave while on the bus, and how to exit the bus safely.  Additionally, ensure your children know their home address, parent’s names, and a good phone number in the event of an emergency.  Basic knowledge of riding a school bus should start at home.  Schools should follow up with other important topics like school bus safety, rules to follow, and emergency drills. 

When walking to a bus stop, students should understand basic rules of the road, follow traffic signals, and be aware of their surroundings.  They should arrive early, stand at least six feet away from the curb (or three giant steps), be visible, avoid distractions, and wait safely.  Younger children should be supervised while waiting for the bus to arrive.  When the bus arrives, wait for the bus to stop completely.  If students need to cross the road, they should make eye contact with the driver and walk ten feet in front of the bus.  They should never walk behind the bus.  When boarding the bus, secure loose objects and use the handrail.  If an item is dropped, alert the driver before picking it up.  While riding the bus, students should remain seated, buckle up, keep the aisle clear, and follow the rules of the school and driver. 

It is important for all riders to understand the potential risks of school buses at an age-appropriate level, the loading safety zone, and how to board and exit carefully.  It is also important for students to know which school bus they should be riding each day.  The National Safety Council has created a back-to-school safety checklist.  We hope everyone has a great school year!