Every day, millions of students use school buses as transportation to and from school. Although school buses represent one of the safest forms of transportation, there are several safety factors of which both students and drivers should be aware. Hoping to ensure school bus safety this school year, Granville County Sheriff John Hardy encourages caution whenever school buses are present.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in recent years there were an average of 128 fatalities in school transportation-related traffic crashes each year and more school-aged pedestrians have been killed between 7 and 8 a.m. and 3 and 4 p.m. than any other time of day.
“Children are often eager to get off the school bus and can do so quickly when they are excited,” Hardy said in a press statement issued by Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. “It is crucial that parents reinforce the school bus safety rules children learn at school. It’s also a great idea to drive your child’s bus route with them before their first day of school so they can learn the routine with you.”
Hardy shared the following tips with parents whose children ride the school bus:
- Students should arrive at least five minutes early to the bus stop.
- While the bus is approaching, make sure to stand at least three giant steps away from the curb, wait until the bus has come to a complete stop, the door opens, and the bus driver says that it’s OK to board.
- Always walk on the sidewalk when preparing to cross the street near a bus. Make eye contact with the driver so that you are sure he or she sees you.
- Never walk behind the bus.
- If you are walking beside the bus, walk at least three giant steps away.
- Use the handrail when entering and exiting the bus. Take extra precautions to make sure that clothing with drawstrings and book bags do not get caught in the handrail or door.
- Never stop to pick something up that you have dropped when a bus is stopped. Tell the bus driver or wait until the bus has driven off to retrieve what you’ve dropped.
Some reminders that bear repeating to any drivers who share the road with school buses include:
- Remember that children are unpredictable in their actions. Use extreme caution when traveling in a school zone.
- If there are no sidewalks, drive cautiously. Be more alert to the possibility of children walking in the road.
- Slow down and prepare to stop whenever you see yellow school bus lights flashing.
- Never pass a school bus when there are flashing red lights and the stop arm is extended. This is a sign that children are getting on or off the bus. Motorists must wait until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.
- Learn and obey the school bus laws in North Carolina.
The Granville County Sheriff’s Office is located at 525 New Commerce Dr. in Oxford. To learn more, call l 919.693.3213 or email granville.sheriff@granvillecounty.org.