Be Bus Aware communications toolkit

• Buses are large, heavy vehicles and can’t stop quickly.
• Maintain a safe stopping distance between your vehicle and a bus in front. It is recommended that you leave a 3 second gap.
• Lights flash on buses to warn drivers that they are picking up and dropping off children. You must slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash, unless a lesser speed limit applies. 
• Give way to a bus when it is merging back into traffic. 
• Don’t merge too closely in front of buses. Give buses space if overtaking.
• Buses have blind spots in front, at the back and at the sides. Don’t assume the driver can see you. If you can’t see the bus’s mirrors when driving behind the bus, the driver can’t see you.
• Bus lanes are for buses but can also be used by Taxis, Hire cars, Emergency vehicles and Bicycles and motorcycles. However other vehicles may drive in bus lanes for a maximum of 100 metres to enter or leave the road at a driveway or intersection, to avoid an obstacle, to pass another vehicle that is turning right, or if there’s a sign saying they can. Only buses are allowed to drive in Bus Only Lanes unless it is necessary for a driver to avoid an obstruction.

• Pedestrians make-up a majority of all fatalities involving buses.
•  Wait until the bus has gone then choose a safe place to cross the road.
•  If there is no zebra crossing or traffic lights available to cross the road, then choose a place which has a good line of sight in both directions, so you can see oncoming traffic and they can see you. Look left and right continuously as you cross. 
•  Buses are large, heavy vehicles and can’t stop quickly. Don’t step out in front of buses.
•  Stop! Look! Listen! Think! before you cross the road. 
•  Follow the road rules and cross with care.
•  Buses have blind spots in the front, at the back and at the sides. Don’t assume the driver can see you.
•  Plan ahead and don’t rush for the bus.
• Stay alert and avoid being distracted by mobile devices and headphones.

• Buses have blind spots in the front, at the back and at the sides. Don’t assume the driver can see you. If you can’t see the bus mirrors when riding behind the bus, the driver can’t see you.
•  Motorcyclists should avoid lane filtering near buses.
•  Buses may be longer than expected. Take care when changing lanes around buses.
•  Avoid trying to overtake a bus when it is turning. Buses need extra space and may take up more than one lane.
•  When riding around buses, be aware of a bus’s blind spots. Give buses space and do not cut in front of buses. Ride in the correct lane and follow the road rules and traffic signs and signals. 
•  Bus lanes are for buses but can also be used by Taxis, Hire cars, Emergency vehicles and Bicycles and motorcycles. However other vehicles may drive in bus lanes for a maximum of 100 metres to enter or leave the road at a driveway or intersection, to avoid an obstacle, to pass another vehicle that is turning right, or if there’s a sign saying they can. Only buses are allowed to drive in Bus Only Lanes unless it is necessary for a driver to avoid an obstruction.

• Stand back from the kerb when waiting for a bus.
•  Stay alert and avoid being distracted by mobile devices and headphones.
•  Buckle up if the bus has seatbelts.
•  Wearing a seatbelt doubles your chances of survival in a crash and reduces the risk of injury – it’s a simple act that is not only a legal requirement, but one that could save yours or your child’s life.
•  If you are elderly or mobility-impaired, sit closer to the front of the bus or in a courtesy seat.
•  If you are elderly or mobility-impaired, use the front doors, which can be lower and closer to the kerb.
•  Use the hand rail to help get on and off the bus.
•  Stay in your seat until the bus has come to a complete stop. 
•  If you are standing, hold on at all times.
•  Place large bags or bulky items under the seat; avoid placing any items in the aisle that might cause a hazard.
•  Press the stop button well before your stop to give the driver plenty of time to stop.

• Your driving affects a bus load of people.

• You are responsible for getting your child to and from the bus stop safely.
•  When travelling by bus, your child is most at risk in the minutes after they get off the bus.
•  Always supervise your child and hold their hand when walking to and from the bus stop and when crossing the road, until they are at least 10 years old.
•  Meet your child at the designated stop time on the same side of the road as the bus stop – never call your child across the road.
•  Encourage your child to take a seat quickly when they get on the bus and to buckle up if the bus has seatbelts.
•  Wait until the bus has gone then use a safe place to cross the road.
• Safety Town is our road safety website for primary school students, teachers and families. It contains information for families around driving safely around buses and also around getting children to and from the bus stop safely.
• On the move is our road safety website for secondary school students, teachers and families.
•  If you have recently moved, or your child is starting or changing schools, make sure you plan your trip in advance. These fact sheets provide information on getting your child to and from school safely. For more information, visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/community/schools/safety-around-schools 
•  Does your child use a rural bus stop that doesn’t have signage or other infrastructure? Think about whether it’s located in a safe spot that allows buses to stop away from the road, with good lines of sight in both directions, and includes a safe space for you to park your vehicle and wait. You can talk to your local bus operator or read more at www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2023/advice-for-choosing-locations-of-informal-school-bus-stops.pdf

• We have a range of resources available to help promote bus safety in your school which are included in this communications toolkit.
• We have a number of learning activities to help promote bus safety. These are linked to the PDHPE curriculum and are available on Safety Town - our road safety website for primary school students, teachers and families.
• On the move is our road safety website for secondary school students, teachers and families.

1. Visit our online catalogue. 
2. Enter Product code in the search field.
3. Locate the product and click ‘Continue’.
4. Enter the quantity (some items have an order amount limit).
5. Click ‘Add to cart’.
6. If you've finished ordering, click ‘Checkout’ or to continue ordering, click ‘Continue Shopping’.
7. Complete all the details under Billing Address and Shipping Address and then click ‘Next’.
8. You'll now see the items you ordered under ‘Ordered items’.

Note:

1. Deliveries can't be sent to a PO Box or outside of NSW.
2. Orders must be completed on a desktop (not mobile).
3. Some links may refer to the Creative Asset Library (CAL). Separate instructions to use CAL are available at the bottom of this page.

You can incorporate some of these questions into your social media posts or in-person engagements.

1. Lights flash on the back of buses to:
   • A. Warn drivers the speed limit is 40km/h when passing the bus (unless a lower speed limit applies)
   • B. To warn drivers the bus is picking up or setting down children
   • C. Both a and b

   Correct answer: C

2. If a bus has its right indicator on and is pulling out of a kerb, you must: 
   • A. Give way to the bus
   • B. Increase your speed to get past the bus before it has pulled out

   Correct answer: A
   Feedback: You must give way to a bus displaying a ‘Give way to buses’ sign when you’re driving in the left lane or line of traffic and the bus:  
   • has stopped or is moving slowly at the far left side of the road  
   • is indicating right, and 
   • is about to move in front of you.

3. It is illegal to cross the road within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing. True or False?
   • A. True
   • B. False

   Correct answer: A
   Feedback: It is illegal to cross the road within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing. When you get off a bus, wait for the bus to leave then use a safe place to cross the road, such as a ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossing or traffic lights. If these aren’t available, find a safe place to cross the road which has a good line of sight in both directions. Look left and right continuously as you cross.

4. It is recommended that parents hold their child’s hand when crossing the road until they are at least: 
   • A. 5 years of age
   • B. 7 years of age
   • C. 10 years of age

   Correct answer: C
   Feedback: Talk to your children about using Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time they cross the road.
   • Stop one step back from the kerb.
   • Look continuously both ways.
   • Listen for the sounds of approaching traffic.
   • Think whether it's safe to cross and keep checking until you're safely across.

5. Unless a lower speed limit applies, when lights flash on the back of a bus you should stay below:
   • A. 40km/h
   • B. 50km/h
   • C. 60km/h

   Correct answer: A
   Feedback: Lights flash on the back of a bus to warn drivers the bus is picking up or setting down children, and that the speed limit is 40km/h when passing the bus. Slow down and look out for children who may be on or near the road.

6. Other vehicles may drive in bus lanes for a maximum of 100 metres to enter or leave the road at a driveway or intersection, to avoid an obstacle or to pass another vehicle that is turning right. True or False?
   • A. True
   • B. False

   Correct answer: A
   Feedback: Bus lanes are for buses but can also be used by:
   • taxis
   • hire cars
   • emergency vehicles
   • bicycles and motorcycles.
   However other vehicles may drive in bus lanes for a maximum of 100 metres to enter or leave the road at a driveway or intersection, to avoid an obstacle, to pass another vehicle that is turning right, or if there’s a sign saying they can. Only buses are allowed to drive in Bus Only Lanes unless it is necessary for a driver to avoid an obstruction.

7. If choosing a location for an informal bus stop, which of these factors is NOT a key safety issue that you need to consider?
   • A. Sight line for vehicles approaching from behind the bus
   • B. Sight line for vehicles approaching from in front of the bus
   • C. Road shoulder width for a bus to stop clear of traffic
   • D. Waiting area for school children
   • E. Pedestrian route to and from the bus stop
   • F. Whether the bus has infrastructure (such as a road sign or bus shelter) or not.

   Correct answer: F
   Feedback: Informal bus stops are not sign posted or developed and are usually found in rural areas. They may be at the front of a property or on the side of the road.
   Parents and carers play an important role in ensuring the safety of students around informal bus stops. If your child needs to use an informal bus stop, think about whether it’s located in a safe spot that allows buses to stop away from the road, with good lines of sight in both directions, and includes a safe place for you to park your vehicle and wait. You can talk to your local bus operator or find more information at www.BeBusAware.com.au

8. When travelling by bus, your child is most at risk in the minutes after they get off the bus. True or False?
   • A. True
   • B. False

   Correct answer: A
   Feedback: When travelling by bus, your child is most at risk in the minutes after they get off the bus. Meet your child AT school or the bus stop. NEVER wait on the opposite side of the road and call them across. If you cannot meet your child, organise for a trusted adult to take your place.
   Talk with your child about what to do:
   • if you are delayed and cannot meet them as usual
   • if they catch the wrong bus
   • if they get off the bus at the wrong bus stop.
   Together, choose the safest place to cross the road and talk about STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! THINK!:
   • STOP! one step back from the kerb
   • LOOK! continuously both ways
   • LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic
   • THINK! whether it is safe to cross.
   Keep checking as you cross the road.
   For more information, please visit www.BeBusAware.com.au

9. When getting off the bus, should you:
   • A. Quickly dart in front of the bus so you can cross the road before it departs
   • B. Always wait until the bus has gone and then find a safe place to cross

   Correct answer: B
   Feedback: Always wait until the bus has gone, then use a safe place to cross. This is to ensure you are visible to the bus driver and traffic coming in either direction. For more information, please visit www.BeBusAware.com.au

10. In NSW approximately how many passenger trips are taken by bus per year?
    • A. 145 million
    • B. 245 million
    • C. 345 million

    Correct answer: C
    Feedback: Almost 4000 buses operate in the Sydney area, while another 1000 buses service the Newcastle, Wollongong and Blue Mountains areas. There are also more than 3000 bus services operating in rural and regional NSW. Buses provide the greatest access to public transport of any mode of transport.

11. Are passengers legally required to wear a seatbelt on a bus in NSW if one is provided?
    • A. No, it's optional
    • B. Only on long-distance trips
    • C. Yes, it's a legal requirement
    • D. Only if the driver reminds them.

    Correct answer: C
    Feedback: If a bus has seatbelts, passengers are legally required to wear them.
    Wearing a seatbelt doubles the chance of surviving a crash and reduces the risk of injury. In a crash, a seatbelt:
    • helps the body slow down at the same rate as the bus
    • spreads the force of the impact over the stronger parts of the body (pelvis and chest areas)
    • reduces the risk of passengers colliding with each other or the inside of the vehicle
    • reduces the risk of the driver or passengers being thrown from the vehicle

12. Bus passengers can be fined if they fail to wear a seatbelt on a bus when one is available. True or False?
    • A. True
    • B. False

    Correct answer: A
    Feedback: Passengers aged 16 years or older can be fined for not wearing a seatbelt on a bus, if one is fitted.
    In addition, students who fail to wear a seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened can be subject to a temporary or permanent travel suspension, in accordance with the Transport for NSW Student Code of Conduct.
    Bus operators are also generally required to take reasonable steps to ensure that bus passengers are aware that they're required to wear a seatbelt, if fitted, and that they can be fined for not doing so. For more information visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/be-bus-aware#Seatbelts_on_buses

13. What does the "Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle" sign mean?
    • A. You can overtake the vehicle if there is enough space
    • B. You must not overtake the vehicle while it is turning
    • C. You can only overtake on the left side
    • D. The vehicle is allowed to speed up while turning

    Correct answer: B
    Feedback: When a vehicle displays a ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign, you must not:
    • overtake on the left when the vehicle is turning left
    • overtake on the right when the vehicle is turning right, unless it’s safe to do so.
    When a vehicle displays a ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign, you must not overtake on the left, unless it’s safe to do so and:
    • you’re driving on a multi-lane road
    • the vehicle is stationary
    • the vehicle is turning right or making a U-turn.
    For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules/sharing-road-overtaking-and-merging/overtaking-safely

14. When is a long vehicle legally allowed to turn left from the middle or left lane in NSW?
    • A. Only when there are no other vehicles nearby
    • B. If it has a "Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle" sign displayed
    • C. If the driver uses the horn
    • D. Only at night or in rural areas

    Correct answer: B
    Feedback: When a vehicle displays a ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign, you must not:
    • overtake on the left when the vehicle is turning left
    • overtake on the right when the vehicle is turning right, unless it’s safe to do so.
    When a vehicle displays a ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign, you must not overtake on the left, unless it’s safe to do so and: 
    • you’re driving on a multi-lane road
    • the vehicle is stationary
    • the vehicle is turning right or making a U-turn.
    For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules/sharing-road-overtaking-and-merging/overtaking-safely

1. Visit our online catalogue. 
2. Enter Product code in the search field.
3. Locate the product and click ‘Continue’.
4. Enter the quantity (some items have an order amount limit).
5. Click ‘Add to cart’.
6. If you've finished ordering, click ‘Checkout’ or to continue ordering, click ‘Continue Shopping’.
7. Complete all the details under Billing Address and Shipping Address and then click ‘Next’.
8. You'll now see the items you ordered under ‘Ordered items’.

Note:

1. Deliveries can't be sent to a PO Box or outside of NSW.
2. Orders must be completed on a desktop (not mobile).
3. Some links may refer to the Creative Asset Library (CAL). Separate instructions to use CAL are available at the bottom of this page.