As school comes back into session, drivers and families are reminded to pay special attention to the movement of school buses on local roads and of students in the vicinity of buses and school zones. The first week of classes can change traffic patterns in all areas of the county, and drivers are urged to drive more slowly and with caution as school traffic resumes. Leave earlier than usual so you aren’t tempted to be in a hurry around school zones and buses. 
Slow down for school traffic
If you are driving, remember these simple rules:
–Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
–Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving, before you can start driving again.
–Even when lights aren’t flashing, watch for children, particularly in the morning or mid-afternoon, around school arrival and dismissal times. Be alert as you back out of a driveway, or drive through a neighborhood, school zone or bus stop.
Safety around the bus
Many students rely on school buses to get them to and from school safely. Parents and family members should also talk to students who ride buses about how to protect themselves as they get on, ride on and exit the buses throughout the year.
Parents – talk bus safety with your children:
–Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Teach them to play it SAFE:
–Stay at least ten feet — five giant steps — away from the curb.
–Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals for you to board.
–Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.
–Exit the bus after it stops and look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street.
If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other.
Walking safety
For students who walk to school, the following safety rules should be reviewed with families:
- Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing traffic
- Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections
- Stay alert and avoid distracted walking like looking at devices or being distracted by conversation
- Cross the street at the corner, obey traffic signals and stay in the crosswalk.
- Never run out into the street or cross between parked cars.
- Never talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
Make students informed
Other safety tips for the first week of school include equipping students with the knowledge of what to do in an emergency and how to reach parents or guardians.
If your student is younger or going to school for the first time, teach them:
–Their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 911.
— The name of their school and their main teacher.
Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Safety Council, The American Red Cross.
