With students back in school, operators should expect to see an increase in pedestrian activity, heavier traffic patterns, and school buses making frequent stops throughout our communities. This seasonal shift requires heightened awareness and a commitment to defensive driving whenever behind the wheel. The back-to-school period presents unique risks, especially around school zones and school bus loading and unloading areas.
Always Stop for School Buses
When you see a school bus with flashing red lights, always expect children to enter the roadway from any direction. School-age children are among the most unpredictable road users. For this reason, every school bus should be treated as a potential hazard that requires extra caution, reduced speed, and readiness to stop. Operators should approach school buses the same way they approach intersections: always be prepared to stop.
To help protect students and other vulnerable road users:
- Reduce speed in and around school zones.
- Watch for children entering the roadway unexpectedly.
- Be alert to bicyclists and crossing guards.
- Maintain proper following distance behind school buses.
By slowing down around schools and school buses, we help ensure students, pedestrians, passengers, and fellow motorists arrive safely at their destinations. Safety First!
