Here’s a timely reminder to slow down to 40 kilometres an hour when the bus lights flash.

Children and parents across the country are gearing up for the start of the new school year. Let’s all work together to keep our children safe, especially when they are heading to and from school.

As term one starts for 2025, take extra care from:

31 January, Eastern Division

7 February, Western Division 

Motorists:

Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children. 

You must slow down to 40km/h when overtaking or passing a bus displaying flashing lights, unless a lower speed limit applies.

You can help keep children safe by:

• Sticking to the speed limit and following the road rules in school zones.
• Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing, unless a lower speed limit applies.
• Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes.
• Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.

Families also have such an important part to play in keeping children safe around roads.

• Never drop off or meet your child on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the road. Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop.
• Remind your children to always wait until the bus has gone before choosing a safe place to cross the road. 
• 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. 

Transport NSW’s flashing lights campaign runs at the start of each school term throughout the year, to remind motorists to slow down to 40 kilometres an hour when bus lights flash - unless a lower speed limit applies.

Flashing lights indicate that the bus is picking up or setting down school children who may be on or near the road.

The initiative also promotes important messages for parents and families around getting their child to and from the bus stop safely. 

This is part of the school zones campaign, which reminds motorists to drive under the school zone speed limit when school zones are active.