When students are crossing the road in front of the school bus, how far in front should they cross?

STUDENT CROSSING DISTANCE: Students crossing in front of the bus must cross at least 10 FEET (about 5 'giant steps') in FRONT of the bus. WHY: A child too close to the front bumper is in the driver's BLIND SPOT — the driver cannot see them from the seated position; crossing 10+ feet ahead keeps the child in the driver's line of sight; PROCEDURE: Students should walk to a point at least 10 feet in front of the bus, where they can see the driver and the driver can see them; wait for the driver's signal to cross; check for traffic; cross quickly but don't run; DRIVER'S ROLE: Ensure students cross far enough ahead to be visible; count students; make sure all who crossed have reached safety and all who should be aboard are aboard before moving; watch for students who drop something near the bus (they may dart back into the danger zone); NEVER move until all students are accounted for and clear of the danger zone; the 10-foot crossing rule keeps children visible to the driver — children being struck by their own bus while crossing too close to the front is a leading cause of school bus fatalities, which this rule directly prevents.