Children and school bus safety are the focus this time of year for Kansas Highway Patrol technical troopers assigned to the Patrol’s Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.
According to information from KHP, troopers will inspect school buses and other vehicles across the state to try to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Troopers will visit each school district and inspect approximately 9,000 school vehicles for their mechanical conditions and equipment.
Buses that pass inspection will display a green sticker of approval in the corner of the windshield. Buses that do not meet requirements cannot be used to transport students until all defects are corrected and re-inspections have been passed.
KHP Superintendent Col. William Seck said parents need to take time to talk with children about getting to and from school safely.
Seck said that, while school buses are one of the safest modes of highway transportation, getting on and off can be dangerous.
He offered these safety tips for children who ride school buses:
F Do not hurry to get on or off the bus. Go to the bus stop at least five minutes before its scheduled arrival.
F When the bus approaches, stand at least five giant steps (10 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
F Do not get on the bus until it has stopped, the door has opened and the driver says it is OK.
F Use handrails to avoid falls.
F Make sure clothes, shoelaces, book bags or other items do not get caught on the handrail or door of the bus.
F If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk at least five giant steps ahead of the bus before crossing in front of it. Make sure you can see the driver and that the driver sees you.
F Stop at the bus edge and look both ways — twice — for oncoming traffic before crossing the street. Drivers may not be able to see you.
F Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
F If you drop something, tell the driver and make sure the driver understands before you try to pick it up. The driver may not see you bend down. Using a backpack helps eliminate dropping items.
F Obey the bus driver, sit facing forward in the seat, use an “inside” voice and do not stick anything out the windows.
F Never walk behind the bus.
F Obey the bus driver, sit facing forward in the seat, use an “inside” voice and do not stick anything out the windows.
Drivers need to be cautious, too, as they drive near children or share the road with school buses. Here are things to keep in mind:
F When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch for children walking or riding bicycles.
F When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch for youngsters who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking about getting there safely.
F Slow down. Watch for children congregating near bus stops.
F Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may forget safety rules and dart into the street without looking for traffic.
F Remember, it is illegal to pass a school bus stopped to load or unload children. The punishment is $300 plus court costs — and, perhaps, a child’s life.
F Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop.
F Red flashing lights and an extended “stop” arm means the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers must stop until the red lights stop flashing, the extended sign is withdrawn and the bus begins to move.
F Do not pass the school bus when it is stopped or beginning to move again.