Dubai: Motorists travelling in both directions must come to a complete stop when a school bus activates its ‘Stop’ sign, the UAE Ministry of Interior has reminded drivers as part of a campaign focused on keeping students safe on their journeys to and from school.Motorists who fail to stop face an AED 1,000 fine and 10 black points under Article 91 of Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 concerning Rules and Procedures of Traffic Control. School bus drivers who fail to activate the sign when students are boarding or getting off the bus face an AED 500 fine and six traffic points under Article 90.The rules have been highlighted as part of the Ministry of Interior’s fourth quarterly campaign of 2026, launched through the Federal Traffic Council under the slogan ‘Safe Road for Our Students’.The campaign aims to make students’ daily journeys safer by promoting proper road behaviour, compliance with traffic regulations and shared responsibility for protecting students and other road users.It targets students, parents, school bus drivers and supervisors, with practical guidance covering behaviour on board buses, safely boarding and getting off, and precautions to follow around schools and residential areas.Students: Arrive five minutes early, stay 10 steps awayStudents should arrive at their bus stop five minutes before their scheduled pickup time, according to the campaign.During the journey, they should remain calm and avoid distracting the driver.After getting off the bus, students are advised to move at least 10 steps away from it so that they remain visible and at a safe distance, particularly when the bus begins moving.What school bus drivers must doSchool bus drivers must inspect their vehicles daily and ensure they are safe to operate before transporting students.They should stop only at safe locations and keep the bus stationary until all students have finished boarding or getting off.Drivers should also coordinate with supervisors to ensure students are seated and wearing their seat belts.The ‘Stop’ sign must be activated whenever students are boarding or disembarking. Once it is activated, motorists travelling in both directions must come to a complete stop.Role of school bus supervisorsSchool bus supervisors are responsible for helping students safely board and exit buses and monitoring their behaviour to maintain order throughout the journey.They should also record student absences and notify the relevant school authorities.What parents should doParents are encouraged to accompany their children to the bus stop and remain available to contact the school when necessary.They should also arrange for an authorised person to receive their children from the bus or at the school gate.The campaign stresses that coordination between families, schools and school transportation providers is important to keeping students safe.Safety measures for schoolsSchool administrations are being urged to provide safe areas where students can board and exit buses.Schools should also follow up on feedback about bus journeys, maintain regular communication with parents and quickly report students who are absent or fail to board their bus.The ‘Safe Road for Our Students’ campaign materials are available in Arabic, English and Urdu. Its messages will also be shared on Facebook, X and Instagram as part of a coordinated media plan developed with strategic partners and relevant traffic safety authorities.
