Darker Mornings Make School Bus Stops More Dangerous. Here's How to Help.

Your child's time at the bus stop becomes more dangerous as the days get shorter and darker. Read on for more details about the disappearing daylight and tips that you can employ to protect your children and those around you.

Darker Mornings and Sun Glare Raise Danger for School Kids at Bus Stop

Sunrise gets pushed back a minute or two later every morning during the fall months. For many school districts, this means students are often waiting at the bus stop before the sun is completely up.

The further north that you are in the U.S., the more daylight you begin to lose this time of the year.  While the sunrises are coming later for now, that will change again on November 1 when daylight saving time begins. The annual changing of the clocks will translate to lighter mornings once again; however, the trend will start up again right away, culminating with the darkest day of the year on Monday, December 21.

In addition to losing precious sunlight in the early morning hours, bus stops can become particularly dangerous for kids as the sun starts to rise. The movement of the sun coming over the horizon creates potentially hazardous sun glare. Because the sun is positioned so low in the sky as it rises, it shines right into the eyes of drivers. If you have ever encountered sun glare while driving, you know how difficult it can be to see the road in front of you.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that one of the most hazardous times for school-age pedestrians is when they are waiting for the bus. Even trained bus drivers have difficulties looking around blind corners in the dark.

Tips for Safe Mornings

There are a number of things that you can do to reduce these risks. Attach reflective gear to your child's backpack as well as their jacket or coat. Kids are known to shed their outerwear; thus, using the reflective tape on the backpack provides another layer of protection.

The general rule of thumb is to wait at least 10 giant steps from the road's edge. Instruct your children to wait at the safe spot until the bus has come to a complete stop and waves them on. Children under the age of 10 should have a parent or older sibling with them at the stop until they safely board.

Kids should never wear earbuds when walking or waiting for the bus. According to the AAA, distracted walking is as risky as distracted driving.

Drivers can also take steps to mitigate the risk to kids. Being intentional about keeping the windshield clean will ensure a clear line of vision. Dirty windshields also tend to scatter sunlight and make it more difficult to see.

Using polarized sunglasses is an easy way to mitigate the threat of sun glare. Be sure to leave extra distance when approaching bus stops, maintaining a safe speed.

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