A survey conducted by the American School Bus Council revealed that 60 percent of the parents surveyed were concerned about their children riding to school in a school bus. Issues that ranged from accidents and unruly children to unsafe bus drivers were some of the foremost safety issues noted by parents. The survey also revealed that the majority of parents considered the school bus to be an integral component of the education system and desired to stay informed on safety features and protocols.
Parents want to know that the person driving their children's school bus is a qualified safe bus driver. Specifics that a parent might want to know about are bus driving credentials, skill training, safe driving record and appropriate background checks. Additionally, it is reassuring for parents if they know that the driver of their child's bus has passed random drug and alcohol tests and that the driver will not be driving the bus while impaired.
The safety features of a the school bus itself can be a concern. Some of a school bus's safety features include the bright yellow color, making a school bus highly visible; reinforced sides; flashing red lights; cross view mirrors; pop-out emergency windows; steel cage protected gas tank and crossing and stop sign arms. These safety features not only protect children while on the bus but provide protection while boarding and disembarking as well.
Another concern for parents is behavioral problems among the children. Misbehaving children on a bus pose a risk to all on the bus as they can potentially distract the driver to the point of causing an accident. Additionally, instances of fighting, bullying and outbursts of violence among students on a bus can pose a safety risk for children. It is important for a bus driver to be able to maintain control of the children to reduce the safety risk of bad behavior.