Precious Cargo: Obey school bus safety rules for kids’ sake
Trending
Parents with school-aged children are already well aware, but other drivers will have noticed by now: School is back in session, and the buses are on the road.
That means students -- of all ages, experience and supervision levels -- will be walking to and from schools and bus stops at least twice a day, all week. Drivers must be alert and follow the rules.
"It's about the safety of the kids," Alicia Jaramillo, transportation director of Warren Local Schools, said last week. "We have a lot of (illegal school bus passes) especially on (Ohio) 339 and 550."
Unless you are inconsiderate, reckless and/or just not paying attention, it's pretty simple to follow the rules when it comes to school buses. If yellow lights are flashing, slow down and get ready to stop. Once those lights turn red and the stop sign arm has been extended, stop the car completely at least 20 feet away from the vehicle -- no matter which direction you are traveling. (Unless you are on a divided highway).
That stop sign means children are getting on and off the bus. Most of them will move predictably and toward the safety of the sidewalk or their own yards. Some will test the 10-foot danger zone, making it important for drivers to remain vigilant even after the stop sign arm is withdrawn and the bus begins to move again.
If your commute tends to take place at about the same time as these buses are out on the road, leave early enough to account for stops -- or plan a different route. It won't take long for drivers to learn (or relearn) when and where to watch for buses; a few delays should not be a surprise.
But if you've failed to plan properly, there is still nothing worth risking the consequences of ignoring school bus safety laws.
There are, of course, fines and other penalties for breaking these rules. But it should be enough to know those rules are in place to protect children -- and that choosing to disregard the signs and lights could be deadly.