What are the most dangerous times during a school bus ride?

The most dangerous times during a school bus ride occur during loading and unloading. This is primarily due to the increased potential for accidents when children are getting on and off the bus. During these moments, children may not be fully aware of their surroundings or might rush to get on or off the bus, increasing the risk of falls or being in the path of oncoming traffic.

Additionally, the area around the bus can be chaotic as children may be eager to meet their friends or may not be paying attention to their surroundings. Drivers of vehicles are required to stop when the bus’s stop arm is extended, yet not everyone always follows this rule, which can lead to tragic consequences. Ensuring that children are safe while loading and unloading is a priority and requires vigilance from the bus driver as well as the students.

Other potential options do not carry the same level of risk associated with gentle and gradual heaving of kids boarding or exiting from the bus, which is why they are not considered as dangerous as the loading and unloading phase.