School Kids and Back-to-School Car and Bus Safety

ITASCA, IL--August 8, 2011: The National Safety Council has partnered with First Student, the largest provider of student transportation services in North America, to share important back-to-school safety information. Millions of students will head back to school over the next eight weeks, and tens of thousands of school buses will be on the roads. It’s crucial that all motorists understand how to safely share the roads with school buses, pedestrians and bicyclists. It is also a good time for parents and children to talk about how to stay safe at school.

“Research has shown distracted drivers ‘look at’ but fail to ‘see’ up to 50% of the driving environment, which can include student pedestrians and bicyclists. The back-to-school season is a good reminder to be responsible drivers as we all share the roads.”

"We are so pleased to partner with the National Safety Council on this back-to-school program,” said Gary Catapano, senior vice president of safety for First Student. “Millions of young people will board school buses and ride to school this fall, and it's vitally important that students, motorists and parents have the safety information needed to ensure a safe return to class.”

Back-to-school safety encompasses a variety of topics in addition to roadway safety. NSC and First Student have provided fact sheets and a video covering important safety topics regarding:

• Driving tips for all motorists
• Teen driving safety
• Bus safety
• Pedestrian safety
• Bicycling safety
• Backpack safety
• Playground safety
• School bullying awareness and prevention

“The Council is proud to partner with First Student on this back-to-school safety initiative,” said NSC President and CEO Janet Froetscher. “Research has shown distracted drivers ‘look at’ but fail to ‘see’ up to 50% of the driving environment, which can include student pedestrians and bicyclists. The back-to-school season is a good reminder to be responsible drivers as we all share the roads.”

About First Student

First Student, Inc. - a division of Cincinnati, Ohio-based FirstGroup America - is the leader in safe, reliable, sustainable transportation and the largest provider of student transportation services in North America. The company safely transports approximately six million students daily in the U.S. and Canada, using a fleet of approximately 57,400 buses. The safety and security of its passengers is the company’s core value, and FirstGroup America was awarded the National Safety Council 2009 Green Cross for Safety Medal in recognition of its commitment to safety and outstanding safety record.

About the National Safety Council

The National Safety Council saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy.