Let’s work together to keep our students safe!
School Bus Safety Week is a valuable opportunity to remind everyone—students, parents, staff, and drivers—of the important role we all play in keeping students safe on their way to and from school.
School buses remain one of the safest ways to transport students, but safety doesn’t happen by accident. This week highlights the importance of awareness, visibility, and respect for school bus safety rules—both on and off the bus.
Teaching Students to Be Safe and Responsible Riders
Throughout the year, students take part in bus safety activities. In the fall, the Safely on Board program visits Pembina Hills schools to teach Early Learning, Kindergarten, and Grades 1–4 students how to be responsible riders. This hands-on training helps reinforce safety habits right from the start of the school year.
Key Bus Safety Tips
For Students:
- Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early.
- Wait well back from the road—about 10 feet.
- Always use handrails when boarding or leaving the bus.
- Stay seated and listen to the bus driver’s instructions.
- Never walk behind the bus. Make sure the driver can see you before crossing the street.
For Parents:
- Review bus safety rules regularly with your children.
- Encourage punctuality so they don’t have to rush.
- Know your child’s bus route number and schedule to help monitor safety.
For Drivers:
- Slow down and stay alert around school buses and bus stops.
- Stop whenever a bus’s red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended—children may be crossing the road.
- Obey posted school zone speeds and watch for children at crosswalks.
Know the Law – Stop for the Bus
All motorists share the responsibility for keeping students safe.
When a school bus activates its amber lights, it’s preparing to stop. Once the bus stops and red lights are flashing with the stop arm extended, vehicles in both directions must stop and remain stopped until the lights are turned off.
Passing a school bus in this situation—known as a fly-by—is illegal, dangerous, and could be deadly.
- Fine: $567
- 6 demerit points
- Often caused by distracted driving. Learn more about the risks and penalties at alberta.ca/distracted-driving.aspx.
If you witness a fly-by, please report it to police or contact our Transportation office at 780-674-8510. Try to provide details such as the vehicle’s make, model, colour, license plate, bus number, time, and location.
Student Poster Contest
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 are invited to participate in the Student Transportation Association of Alberta’s School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest.
2025 Theme: “My bus driver is my superhero”
Deadline: November 15, 2025
See poster for more details.
Let’s Make School Bus Safety a Priority
Our division is proud to support activities that promote safe transportation for all students. By working together and staying alert, we can make every bus ride a safe and positive experience.
Let’s make School Bus Safety Week 2025 a success—by practicing and promoting safe habits around school buses, every day of the year.
Additional Resources: