AUSTIN, Texas—Austin ISD reminds its communities about the importance of school bus safety during National School Bus Safety Week.

Nearly 22,000 AISD students ride to and from school on more than 500 school buses every day. The district has 656 transportation employees dedicated to provide safe transportation for students.

“We urge community members to recognize the importance of school bus safety, especially by not passing school buses that are displaying flashing red lights,” Kris Hafezizadeh, AISD director of transportation, said. “Together, we can work to ensure our students get to school and back home safely.”

AISD’s Department of Transportation continues to encourage drivers to reduce their speed when driving near schools and follow posted signs that require drivers to slow down to 20 miles or less when lights are flashing. Failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or stop when school bus lights are flashing for students boarding or exiting the bus, and speeding through school zones when lights are flashing could result in a fine of up to $400 dollars.

The district’s transportation team would like to reinforce safety through tips for students:

• Always remain in direct eyesight of the bus driver.
• Arrive at the bus stop in plenty of time, at least five minutes prior to the scheduled time.
• Take ten giant steps back from the curb while waiting for the bus and ten steps away from the curb when exiting the bus.
• Never try to re-board the bus without the driver’s permission to retrieve an item after exiting.
• Never reach underneath the bus.
• Always follow the driver’s directions for how to cross the street.
• Be alert to traffic and look both ways.
• Always cross in front of the bus, but only when the bus driver signals it is safe.

For more information, please visit austinisd.org/transportation.