National School Bus Safety Week
Behind the wheel, they navigate the roads of possibility, ensuring the next generation's safe voyage to knowledge with a friendly smile.
Position your brand as a safety advocate by supporting school bus driver appreciation and child transportation safety education during this nationally recognized week.
- Thank a School Bus Driver campaign—partner with schools to amplify driver appreciation messaging
- Safety-focused educational content for parents and kids on proper bus behavior and road rules
- Sponsor or promote the National Association for Pupil Transportation poster contest to reach student audiences
- Host a community safety event or in-store activation celebrating transportation professionals
National School Bus Safety Week has roots that can be traced back more than five decades. This event started out in 1969 as a letter writing campaign to Richard M. Nixon, who was the President of the United States at the time. The event was founded by a man named Dick Fischer, who had previously been a California school district transportation director and believed that the children needed more protection.
The first official National School Bus Safety Week was held in 1970 and, out of it, the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) was founded just five years later in 1975 and now acts as the host for the week’s activities. Over several decades, this has grown into a nationwide event that encourages schools, administrators, drivers and parents to get involved with the safety of the children going to and from school.
Thank a School Bus Driver
Many school bus drivers spend their mornings and afternoons trying to get the children where they need to go while keeping everyone safe. National School Bus Safety Week is an ideal time to provide a note or small gift of thanks to the bus driver who keeps the kids safe on the road.
Host a School Bus Safety Week Campaign
Teachers, parents, school bus drivers, or school administrators might be interested in hosting a campaign in support of National School Bus Safety Week. This can help to teach children about the importance of proper behavior on a school bus, as well as educating the community – including other drivers. Each year, the National Association for Pupil Transportation hosts a poster contest in honor of the week. School students throughout the nation are encouraged to submit their drawings based on a particular theme that will be judged during state wide competitions and then presented as the campaign poster for the following year.
Follow the Rules of the Road
In order to keep the children on a school bus safe, there are certain rules that drivers of other vehicles must follow. For instance, it is necessary to always stop when a school bus is stopped and has the red “stop” sign out. In addition, school buses drive at slower than average speeds, so be sure to slow down around them and leave a greater distance when following so there is plenty of time to stop.