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Centre for Road Safety

  1. NSW Centre for Road Safety
  2. Campaigns
  3. Be Bus Aware

Be Bus Aware

Our videos show how to stay safe on and around buses whether you're a driver, pedestrian, cyclist or passenger.

We all have a part to play

Be Bus Aware highlights the importance of bus safety for all road users. Buses are large, heavy vehicles and can’t stop quickly.

Bus Safety Week will run from Monday, 20 February to Sunday, 26 February 2023. The annual campaign raises awareness for all road users on how to stay safe on and around buses, helping to reduce injuries and fatalities.

Millions of trips

NSW has one of the largest metropolitan bus fleet in Australia. Almost 4000 buses operate in the Sydney area, while another 1000 buses service the Newcastle, Wollongong and Blue Mountains areas. In addition, more than 3000 bus services operate in rural and regional NSW.

From 2018 to 2022 (provisional), 32 people lost their lives in crashes involving buses. Of the 32 fatalities, 13 people were pedestrians, six were drivers (of vehicles other than a bus), six were motorcyclists, four were bus drivers, two were passengers (of vehicles other than a bus) and one was a pedal cyclist.

 

Pedestrians

Pedestrians are our most vulnerable road users and make-up almost half of all fatalities from bus crashes.

Bus Safety Week promotes safety for pedestrians, who should:

  • Plan ahead and don't rush for the bus
  • Obey traffic signals and cross with care
  • Avoid being distracted by mobile devices
  • Stand back from the kerb when waiting for a bus
  • Wait until the bus has gone then use a safe place to cross the road.

Our Zero Emission Buses are helping us achieve our goals to respond to climate change. They're much quieter and reduce noise pollution, so remember to always stay alert when walking around buses and traffic.

Parents and carers

School-aged children might seem independent, but they still need a hand.

Remember:

  • Always meet your child AT school or the bus stop. NEVER wait on the opposite side of the road and call them across.
  • Always supervise your child and hold their hand when walking to and from the bus stop or interchange and when crossing the road until they are at least 10
  • Wait until the bus has gone then use a safe place to cross 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.

Talk to your children about 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 is safe to cross and keep checking until safely across.

Drivers

We know that because of their sheer size and mass, buses cause severe outcomes for other road users in crashes. Buses can't stop quickly and drivers should:

  • Give way to buses
  • Not merge too closely in front of buses
  • Keep a safe distance from buses in front of you
  • Slow down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing, unless a lower speed limit applies
  • Be aware of a bus’s blind spots at the front, rear and sides of the bus.

Bicycle riders

  • If you are overtaking a bus, avoid passing it when it is turning - buses can take up more than one lane when they turn
  • Be aware of a bus’s blind spots at the front, rear and sides of the bus
  • You may travel in a Bus Lane, Tram Lane, Transit Lane or Truck Lane but not in a Bus Only Lane
  • Follow the rules and ride with care.

Passengers

All bus passengers should:

  • Press the button well before your stop to give the driver plenty time to stop safely
  • Wait until the bus has stopped before you get out of your seat
  • Buckle up if the bus has seatbelts.

If you are older, have a disability or are pregnant, try to sit closer to the front of the bus or in a courtesy seat and use the front doors, which can be lower and closer to the kerb.

Motorcycle riders

When riding a motorcycle, you need to take extra care near buses. Follow these helpful tips to keep you safe around buses:

  • Be aware of a bus’s blind spots at the front, rear and sides of the bus
  • 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 are likely to need extra space and may take up more than one lane.
  • Always follow the road rules and ride with care.

Bus safety for children

Bus safety for school students (PDF, 378Kb) has more information on how families can help  keep children safe getting on and off buses.

The Safety Town website has activities you can do with primary school children to help them keep safe on and around buses. There is also a section for families on driving safely around buses, and getting children to and from the bus stop safely.

Our Agent Walker: Operation Safe Transit bus safety video was produced for school students in years 5 and 6, who are starting to gain independence, and their teachers, parents and carers.

Working together

Our campaign has been developed with input from the State Transit Authority, Bus NSW, Transport for NSW, and the NSW Police Force. The Department of Education, the Catholic Education Commission, the Association of Independent Schools and the Kids and Traffic Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program at Macquarie University also support Be Bus Aware and Bus Safety Week.