School Bus Safety
One important part of the start of every school year is bus safety. Far too often our school bus drivers are taken for granted in their ability to both drive a school bus and supervise the children within on routes to school and on activities. Driving a bus is a big job! One of the most difficult parts of driving a school bus is in making sure that all students are safe both inside and outside of the bus. You can be a great asset to a school bus driver by encouraging your children to be very cautious and very aware of safety both inside and outside of a bus. Children should be reminded to be VERY CAUTIOUS in approaching a bus or standing too close to a bus as they wait to board as accidents can easily happen when bus drivers cannot see students standing or approaching in blind spots around the bus.
Another reminder we would like to share with everyone when they are out driving is to be sure to stop when red lights are flashing on a school bus. The flashing red lights are a warning that students are either exiting or entering a school bus. Students may have to cross the street/road to do so, hence the warning for all motorists to stop and wait until the lights have been turned off.
Remember that all drivers on roadways with less than two lanes of travel in each direction are required to stop for a school bus displaying red flashing lights. This would pertain to our typical county and state roads/highways. In those regards, EVERYBODY HAS TO STOP no matter what direction you are going! On roadways with two or more lanes of travel in each direction, only drivers traveling the same direction as a school bus displaying red flashing lights are required to stop. Drivers traveling in the opposite direction are asked to proceed with caution. SDCL 32-32-6.
So, remember that when you approach a school bus and the yellow lights are flashing, please slow down and pay very close attention as the red lights and crossing children are soon to follow.
Thank you. Mr. TA Aslesen