Should children be allowed to cross behind the school bus?

The decision to not allow children to cross behind the school bus is based on safety considerations. When children cross behind the bus, they are in a position that is often out of the driver's sight. This creates a dangerous situation because the driver may not be aware of a child in that area, increasing the risk of accidents or injuries.

The area directly behind the bus is a blind spot, meaning that the bus driver cannot see children who might be crossing there. Additionally, buses have large rear ends that can obstruct the vision of both the driver and the child crossing. The proper procedure is for children to cross in front of the bus, where they are visible to the driver, thereby ensuring that the driver can monitor their movements and ensure their safety when they are getting on or off the bus.

While some may think it might be acceptable for a child to cross behind the bus under certain conditions — such as the driver’s approval or if there are no cars around — these scenarios still carry risks. Even with a signal from the driver or an absence of traffic, there is no guarantee that other vehicles will not approach unexpectedly. Overall, the safest approach is to teach children to avoid crossing behind the bus altogether.