August 9, 2026 — It’s back-to-school time! The beginning of the school year brings a fresh reminder for safety and awareness. Expect to see more traffic congestion and reduced speed limits in school zones, buses making frequent stops to pick up and drop off children, children crossing the road, and children walking while distracted by their cell phones.
When children are in school, everyone needs to remember safety practices that protect both drivers and students.
Bus and driving safety
- Put your phone away. Hands-free and handheld cell phone bans are strictly enforced in school zones. Pay full attention to the road.
- Slow down and abide by posted school zone speed limits.
- Allow yourself extra drive time to account for additional traffic and extra stops.
- Be courteous to school buses on the road.
- Never pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. It is illegal in all 50 states. And never pass a school bus on the right; it is illegal and dangerous.
- If a school bus is stopped with flashing red lights, traffic in both directions must stop on a two-lane road; a three-lane road with a center turn lane; and a four-lane road with no median or other physical barrier.
- On a divided highway with a grass median or other physical barrier, vehicles moving in the same direction as the school bus must stop, and oncoming traffic should proceed with caution.
- Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off children. If you are driving, slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate that the bus is stopped and that children are getting on or off.
- The area 10 feet around a school bus is the highest risk location for a child being hit. Give enough room to allow space for children to get on or off the bus.
- Drive slowly and watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks. Be aware of children playing or waiting around bus stops.
Bus safety for riders
- Pay attention when getting on or off the school bus.
- Don’t stand too close to the curb or street while waiting for the bus.
- Stay seated during your ride, even while the bus is stopped.
- Wait to cross the street until the bus driver lets you know it’s safe to do so.
- If you need to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the side of the road until you are 10 feet ahead of the bus. You should always be able to see the bus driver, and the bus driver should always be able to see you.
- Walk on the sidewalk if one is available. On a street with no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
- Before you cross the street, stop and look both ways to see if cars are coming. Always cross at a crosswalk or an intersection, never in the middle of the road.
- Look both ways when walking through a parking lot or across a driveway. Never dart in front of a parked car.
Bike, E-Bike & Scooter Safety
- Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, in a single-file line.
- Obey traffic laws: Stop completely at stop signs and intersections before crossing, and walk bikes/scooters across busy roads.
- Always wear a helmet: Ensure students wear a properly fitted, secured helmet on every ride.
- No double-riding: E-bikes and scooters should never carry more passengers than they are designed for.
Safe at School
- Choose a backpack with ergonomically designed features to enhance safety and comfort.
- Backpacks should weigh no more than 10-20 percent of your child’s body weight.
- Teach children to use both straps when wearing their backpacks to evenly distribute the weight on their shoulders.
- Encourage students to frequently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Children should cover their mouths and noses with an elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Keep an open dialogue with your children and offer to be an outlet for handling social struggles or bullying.
- Teach students that if they see or hear anything unusual and suspicious on campus, they should report it to a teacher or principal immediately.
Let’s work together to ensure all our students have a safe, secure, and productive school year!
About Acadian Ambulance
Acadian Ambulance is the nation’s largest 100% employee-owned ambulance service providing prehospital care and medical transportation to areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. In recognition of Acadian’s clinical excellence, it is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services and a member of the American Ambulance Association. Its sister division, Acadian Air Med, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems.
Acadian Ambulance is a division of Acadian Companies, which has a global reach and a mission of improving the lives of its patients, customers and employees through its innovative spirit and diverse divisions, also including Acadian Air Med, Executive Aircraft Charter Service, Acadian Total Security, National EMS Academy, Safety Management Systems and Acadian Health.
Acadian’s National EMS Academy offers EMT training at its campuses across Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee. For more information on upcoming classes, visit www.BecomeAMedic.com.
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