School bus safety tips for drivers, parents, kids

As students prepare to head back to class, that means buses will return to the roads carrying some very precious cargo. Still, some motorists will break laws when it comes to sharing the roads – and the consequences can be deadly.

Schools across Southwest Florida counties start Aug. 10. It will be important to remember that date so you’ll know to be extra vigilant for students along the roads and getting on and off buses.

Since 2012, Florida has had nearly 21,000 school bus-related crashes. Lee County reported 198 last year.

Fort Myers police say knowing where bus stops and school zones are in your area is important, and while driving through that area, remember to slow down and not be distracted by things like your phone and the radio.

“So we do have a lot of children running around. We want to make sure they’re safe and again, we want to be able to anticipate a child potentially running out on the road or doing something like that. So scan around the school bus stop for potential hazards,” said FMPD Lt. Shawn Yates.

Not stopping for a stopped school bus is not only dangerous, it could get you a costly traffic fine or a suspended license.

School bus safety tips for motorists from FLHSMV

• Be alert and watch for children especially near schools, bus stops, school buses and in school parking lots.
• Children on bicycles can be unpredictable and can make sudden changes in direction. Be especially careful when children are present in school zones and residential areas.
• Pay extra attention to lower speed limits in school zones.
• Watch for and obey signals from school crossing guards.
• Only drive or park in authorized areas to drop off or pick up children at school.
• Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended. (See the different situations in the diagram below)

• All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram, TWO-LANE)
• On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram, MULTI-LANE)
• The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. (see diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)
• On a highway divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the bus (painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers). However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus. (see diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)

School bus safety tips for parents and children from FLHSMV

• Arrive at the bus stop with about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• At bus stops, children should wait in a safe place away from the road. Never sit on the roadway or curb while waiting for your bus.
• Make sure your children know their bus driver’s name and bus number.
• Tell children to never speak to strangers at the bus stop or get into the car with a stranger. Children should tell parents, the bus driver and a teacher at school if a stranger tries to talk to them or pick them up.
• Children should never walk behind a bus and should stay away from bus wheels at all times. When the bus stops, children should wait for the driver’s signal that it is safe to cross the road or board the bus.
• Children should look both ways before crossing the street- look left, right and left again. Tell them to make eye contact to make sure the bus driver can see them as they cross the street.
• On the bus, children should remain seated at all times and keep the aisle clear. Tell children not to put their head, hands or arms out the window.
• Remind children to stop talking and remain silent when the bus comes to a railroad crossing so the driver can hear if a train is approaching.
• Children should avoid any loud or disruptive behavior that could distract the bus driver from safely operating the bus.
• Refer to the official Florida Driver License Handbook for more information on school bus safety.