Millions of children in the United States ride safely to and from school on school buses each day. Although school buses are the safest way to take them to school, about 33 school-age children die in school bus-related(与巴士有关的) traffic accidents each year.

Most of those killed are five to seven years old. They are hit in the danger zone(区域) around the bus, either by a passing vehicle(车辆) or by the school bus itself. It is illegal(非法的) for a car to pass a bus with its red light flashing(闪耀).

Young children are most likely to be hit because they hurry to get on or off the bus, act before they think and have little experience(经验) with traffic. They believe that drivers will see them and will wait for them to cross. And they don’t always stay within the bus driver’s sight.

We all know that what children do at school is very important. Getting to school safely is also important. Some students are lucky to live near the school. But others have to walk long distance, take the bus or take the subway. How can you keep safe on the way to school? Here are some things you can do:

If you take the bus or take the subway, you should stand away from the door.

When you are on the subway, make sure that you are with friends.

Do you know how to cross the street? Look left, right and left again before crossing. If there is a traffic light (交通灯), cross only when the light is green or when the walk sign is on.

Use the seat belt if your parent drives you to school.

When Mary was seven, her family moved to a new town. She usually went to school by school bus, for it was not near her house.

One morning, their family clock stopped and when they got up, it was too late for Mary to catch the school bus. Her mother said she would drive Mary to school on her way to the office. “But how can you find the way, Mum?” Mary asked. “You have only been to my school once.”

“Yes.” her mother answered. “But you’ve been there by school bus seven times, you know the way.”

“Oh, yes.” said Mary. They started out and Mary asked her mother to turn one way or another on their way to school, so she made her mother drive round most of the town before they got there.

When they arrived, her mother found it was not really very far from their house. “Why did you make me go such a long way?” her mother asked her.

“Well, Mum?” answered Mary. “I know only this way. The bus always goes like this, so the other children can take it to school.”