Be Safe Getting to School and Getting Home

It is almost time for those big yellow school buses to hit the road and highways. The national safety council suggests it is never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present, especially before and after school. The combination of kids in a hurry, parents trying to drop kids off before they head to work themselves can be a recipe for tragedy.

The council makes the following points: Don’t double park, because it blocks visibility for children and vehicles. Schools usually have very specific drop off procedures that parents and students should learn. Don’t drop off or pick up across the street from the school, and carpool to reduce traffic. Never use a cell phone in a school zone.

The construction at Watonga High School will present new challenges to parking, loading and unloading this year. Students and parents should learn protocol and follow it unerringly.

Most bus related accidents involve children 4 to 7-years-old. They are usually struck by a bus or a motorist who illegally passed a stopped bus. Drivers can help avoid these situations by not blocking the crosswalk or while making a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around the vehicle and into the lane of traffic. Always stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, intersections or school zones. Obey school crossing guards and never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

Take extra care to look for children in school zones, near playgrounds and in residential areas and use extreme caution to avoid striking a pedestrian, no matter who has the right of way.

Never pass a bus stopped for passengers on an undivided roadway. Traffic must stop if the lights are flashing and/or the arm is extended. Stop far enough back from the bus to allow children to enter or exit the bus. The most dangerous area for a child is within 10 feet of the bus. Stay alert because children can take risks or be unpredictable.

Students should be taught to stay five steps back from the street and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before trying to board. The driver will signal when it is safe to board the bus.

If they are going to walk to school, students should watch the road, stay off cell phones, and use sidewalks where possible. They should also use marked crosswalks where available and never play, push or shove near traffic.

If a child is riding a bike to school, they should ride on the right side of the road with the traffic, in single file. Walking a bike across the street is safest and riders should always have a properly fitted helmet and safety gear.

Most of all, take your time and stay safe. Equipment can be replaced, but lives cannot.