It's beginning of a new school year: full of promise, bright hopes, and flashing bus lights. The first month of school brings a return to the big yellow bus for students and for drivers. For automobile travelers, it means more buses on the road, more waiting at bus stops, more children on the road, and more chances for an accident. Every year, 24 million students ride to school or other related activities on a bus. With over 400,000 buses on the road, the Injury Board blog estimates that there are at least 8.8 billion school bus rides taken by students each year. On average, around 27 students die each year from school bus accidents—27 sons and daughters that could've been yours.

According to WebMD, school buses have a death rate of .2 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, which is eight times less than automobile deaths. While buses are a statistically proven safe option for students, there are still ways teachers, parents, and drivers can make school buses even safer in our communities.

To ensure every student comes home safely, here are some ideas to promote school bus safety at your Christian school!

Use Free Online Resources

Promote school bus safety at your Christian school without spending a bundle! There are many online resources for downloading helpful materials like activities and projects for students, slideshow presentations for teachers, and more. Research resources and guidelines for safety restraint systems at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, visit the National Coalition for School Bus Safety, and look up general safety rules to share with your class.

Promote National School Bus Safety Week

Most school bus deaths happen to pedestrians, and half of all pedestrian fatalities involve a child between the ages for five and seven, according to Online Lawyer Source. To help prevent deaths, educate your students and parents with safety guidelines. Teaching children while they are young to respect and know the danger zones of school buses is essential to school bus safety. National School Bus Safety Week is the third week in October, and information for promoting this event at your Christian school at the National School Transportation Association.

Remind, Remind, Remind

Practice what you preach and follow school bus safety guidelines when you drive. Encourage parents to do the same. Promote your current school bus drivers to report any problems they are currently facing with safety, such as passenger distractions, bus cleanliness or malfunctions, or traffic violators. Remind all students to follow guidelines to ensure safety. Post posters and give out handouts not just at the beginning of the year but all year long. Encourage teachers to discuss bus safety in class content.

Push for Safety Restraint Research

Currently only five states have laws that require school buses to have seat belts. To help grow awareness of the need for restraints for all on-board passengers, write to your local government officials, congressmen, senators, and representatives and ask for a federal inquiry or research program in your state to find out if seat belts on school buses could save lives. School buses remain a large exception to seat belts laws although seat belts are promoted as an essential safety device on every other type of transportation carrier.

Closely Review Drivers

The person behind the wheel matters! Check and double check all the bus drivers' credentials and backgrounds when hiring. Do personal background checks and follow up on references and licenses. All bus drivers are required to hold a commercial license and are often a part of a contractor association, so ensure the drivers you hire meet the proper legal requirements.

Promote Student Safety Onboard

Security is every administrator's worry. Buses are another area for abuse, physical violence, and bullying to take place. With 10 to 30 students onboard and one bus driver trying to concentrate on driving, the lack of supervision can quickly promote student misbehavior. If possible, schedule unannounced bus riding audits to review driver safety and passenger behavior. Volunteer parent monitors can also help provide adult supervision to an already overwhelmed driver.

School buses are a necessary mode of transportation for all American students, from public to private schools alike. We have the responsibility to follow school bus regulations for the safety of all our students. Although the death rate on school buses is low, there are still children who die preventable deaths each year because of school bus accidents. Education is the key to growing understanding and respect for bus safety knowledge. As Christian school educators, we have the stage in front of us each day to promote safety and encourage cooperation from students, parents, teachers, and relatives. Take every opportunity to remind those around you about the importance of protecting student lives-both on schools buses and off them. The next time you're waiting for the bus arm to stop flashing, remember the souls onboard whose lives rely on you to follow the law.

What does your Christian school do to promote school bus safety? What actions have you implemented to ensure continued school bus security? Share your comments!