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Play it Safe When You're Behind
the Wheel
> School
Bus Safety Home Page
> Taking
the School Bus
> Walking
to School
> Riding
a Bike to School
> Play
it Safe When You're Behind the Wheel
> Sources
of Back to School Information and Web Links
 It's
especially important to slow down and watch out for kids at
the beginning of the school year. Students are excited, apprehensive,
not familiar with the new school schedule and may not pay
attention to traffic safety practices. Children are not small
adults and may not have enough skills to cope with traffic.
Be aware that ALL drivers are responsible for child safety
near school zones or school busses.
Remember, when you see a school bus,
all traffic from both directions MUST stop when bus lights
are flashing red and STOP signs are extended. Never pass a
stopped school bus loading or unloading children - it's the
law!
Divided highways are the only exception
to passing a school bus in oncoming lanes if the median is
over 5 feet wide or has a raised, impassable divider.
If you see yellow flashing lights it
means the school bus is preparing to stop. This alerts drivers
to slow down and be prepared to stop - not speed up to pass
the bus quickly. Begin moving again only when the red flashing
lights are turned off, the stop arm is withdrawn and the bus
begins to move.
Be alert for kids who might dart into
the street without looking because they arrive late at the
bus stop. Watch for students playing and gathering near a
bus stop. Slow down and observe posted speed limits in school
zones at all times. Look for children walking in the street,
especially if there are no sidewalks. Be careful to watch
for kids walking or biking to school when leaving your garage
or backing out of a driveway.
If you drive kids to school, make sure
every child is buckled in a child safety seat, a booster seat,
or with a lap/shoulder belt that is age, weight and height
appropriate. It's safer for all children ages 12 and under
to sit in the back seat of your car whenever possible.
When driving kids to school, leave with
plenty of time to meet the child's schedule and your own.
Accidents often occur at school because drivers are in a hurry
and late for work. It is easy for parents or other drivers
to become lax after several months of zipping past largely
deserted schools during summer months. Adults must switch
"mind-sets" as children return to school this fall.
Slow down. Stay alert. Watch out for kids.
> School
Bus Safety Home Page
> Taking
the School Bus
> Walking
to School
> Riding
a Bike to School
> Play
it Safe When You're Behind the Wheel
> Sources
of Back to School Information and Web Links
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