EVANSVILLE − Public safety officials are warning drivers to be on the lookout for school buses as summer break comes to an end and the new academic year gets underway in Indiana.
From when you can pass a stopped school bus to how drivers can best keep the kids who rely on them safe, the Indiana State Police recently addressed the issue in an information packet for drivers and parents.
Here's what you need to know.
'Stop-arm' safety for school buses in Indiana
Under state law, it is illegal for a driver to pass a stopped school bus if its red lights are flashing and its swiveling stop arms are extended. This ensures children can exit the bus and cross the street if needed.
In 2019, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute launched the Stop Arm Violation Program, which provides local law enforcement with grants and funding to enforce state law on the issue and deter violations of the stop-arm rule.
According to Indiana's criminal code, drivers can face misdemeanor charges if they "recklessly" pass a stopped school bus.
What should you do if a school bus is stopped on a highway?
"If the highway is divided by a barrier, motorists are only required to stop if they are traveling in the same direction as the school bus," the ISP stated in a news release.
In other words, if the bus is stopped and has deployed its warning systems, drivers must stop too, unless they are traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway.
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According to the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corp., the first day of school will be a "soft start." Students with last names starting with A through J will start school Aug. 5, while students with last names starting with K through Z will start school Aug. 7.
Stopping for buses at driveways, neighborhoods and in school zones
In Evansville, hundreds of children make the trek from their homes to bus stops just as morning rush hour picks up, placing them near busy streets and traffic.
Motorists should pay special attention when backing out of driveways and when driving in neighborhoods, the ISP stated. The agency − which said its guidance was based on information provided by the ICJI - warned drivers to "watch for children who may not be thinking about getting to school safely."
Here is the state's guidance for driving in neighborhoods and near school zones:
- Slow down and watch for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks.
- Be mindful of children playing and gathering near bus stops.
- Stay alert, as children arriving late for the bus may suddenly dart into the street without checking for traffic.
According to the ISP, if a school bus has turned on its yellow flashing lights, it is preparing to stop and motorists should slow down and prepare to stop, too.
Red flashing lights − and the aforementioned stop arms − mean the bus has stopped and children are either getting on or getting off the bus.
Unless a driver is traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway, they will need to come to a halt and wait for the bus to finish its stop.
What parents need to know about school bus safety
The ISP and ICJI suggest that parents have safety conversations with their children about riding the bus and have published a set of best practices for parents and children to follow.
- Children should arrive at their stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick them up, reducing the need for a child to rush across busy streets.
- Parents should show their children where to wait for the bus. The ISP says children should stand "at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the curb."
- Remind children that the bus stop is "not a place to run or play."
School buses weigh multiple tons more than the average vehicle or pickup truck and can present hazards to children and pedestrians. To reduce the risk of injury, state officials suggest that parents talk to their children about how to safely get onto and off of a school bus.
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That starts with informing children that they should wait until the bus comes to a "complete stop, the door opens and the driver indicates it's okay before approaching the bus door," the ISP stated.
Children should also be reminded to use the handrails when getting onto or off of their bus.
Public safety officials urge special caution when approaching or walking near a school bus. Children should be taught to never walk behind a bus and maintain distance when crossing the street in front of one.
To learn more, visit the Indiana Department of Transportation's website, the ICJI or contact your local school corporation.
Houston Harwood can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com
