Slow down to 40 when bus lights flash
School buses pick up and drop off children on roads all across NSW. Buses use signs and flashing lights to warn drivers that they are picking up and dropping off children. You must slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash and look out for children crossing the road. Be Bus Aware and help keep our kids safe. The video below shows how buses use flashing lights to warn drivers that they are picking up or setting down school children. Read a transcript.
Useful tips:
- Always meet your child at the bus stop or at school. NEVER call them across the road from the opposite side of the road.
- Until your kid is at least 10, always supervise and hold your child's hand when walking to and from the bus stop or interchange, as well as when crossing the street.
- Wait until the bus has passed, then cross the road at a safe location.
Road Safety Education Resources
Safety Town
Safety Town is a website for primary school students, teachers and families that provides information on how to drive safely near buses and securely transport their children to and from the bus stop. It offers a wide range of interactive learning activities for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.
On the Move
On the Move is a collection of secondary school resources. Teachers can find road safety resources on the website to support the PDHPE, Student Wellbeing and Senior English programmes in Years 7-10.
We all have a part to play
Pedestrians
Pedestrians made up more than half of the bus fatalities over the 2011 to 2015 period. Bus Safety Week promotes safety for pedestrians, who should:
- Plan ahead and don't rush for the bus
- Follow the rules and cross with care
- Avoid being distracted by mobile devices
- Stand back from the kerb when waiting for a bus
Bus drivers
Take a look at our bus safety video, which features bus drivers who are responsible for hundreds of people every day. A transcript is available for reading.
Drivers
Buses, we know, generate serious consequences for other road users in crashes because of their sheer size and bulk. Other vehicle drivers account for almost a quarter of all fatalities and serious injuries in large bus accidents. Buses are unable to come to a complete stop fast, therefore drivers should:
- Give way to buses
- Not merge too closely in front of buses
- Reduce speed to 40 km/h when bus lights are flashing
Cyclists
If you're overtaking a bus, don't pass it when it's turning since buses might take up more than one lane. Travelling in a Bus Lane, Tram Lane, Transit Lane or Truck Lane is permitted, but not in a Bus Only Lane. Ride safely and follow the rules.
Passengers
More than a fifth of seriously injured bus passengers are above the age of 70. If you're elderly, have a disability, or are expecting a child, request a courtesy seat or sit closer to the front of the bus. All bus passengers should: Press the button well before your stop time to give the driver enough time to safely stop. Before getting out of your seat, be sure the bus has come to a complete stop.
Operation safe transit
Agent Walker
Our Agent Walker: The Operation Safe Transit bus safety video was created for 5th and 6th-grade students, teachers, parents and caregivers. The video can be accessed on the Safety Town website, which is used by over 2600 primary schools in NSW to teach kids about road safety and help avoid injuries and deaths on the road.
Working together
The State Transit Authority, Bus NSW, Roads and Maritime Services and the NSW Police Force all contributed to the development of our campaign. Be Bus Aware and Bus Safety Week are also supported by the Department of Education, the Catholic Education Commission, the Association of Independent Schools and Macquarie University's Kids and Traffic Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program. Accessibility of the NSW Government Disclaimer & Copyright Sitemap for Privacy Transport in New South Wales has received a lot of positive feedback.