School Bus Safety – Bus Flashing Lights Campaign

From next Monday 14th October 2024, school zones are back in force, with reduced speed limits and additional demerit points applying.

In line with this, Transport for NSW is running the Bus Flashing Lights Campaign from Tuesday 15th – Sunday 27th October 2024. Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children. By law, a driver must slow down to 40km/h when overtaking or passing a bus displaying flashing lights.

Lights begin to flash when the bus stops and the doors open, and they keep flashing for about 20 seconds after the doors close. Children are most at risk in the minutes after they get off the bus. Young children are often unpredictable in their movements. They are still developing the skills that help them to judge the direction of sound and the speed and distance of vehicles.

How Can Motorists Help?

You can help keep children safe by:

Sticking to the speed limit and following the road rules in school zones

Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing

Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes

Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.

How Can Parents Help?

Parents have an important part to play in keeping children safe around roads:

Never drop off or meet your child on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the road. Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop.

Remind your children to always wait until the bus has gone before choosing a safe place to cross the road.

For more information visit: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/be-bus-aware/bus-flashing-lights.html