Cooperative Living September 2018 - 24

SafetySense
It is illegal
Back-to-School Safety
F
or parents, late summer is a bittersweet reminder of the
passage of time as we watch our children and grandchildren
grow up and become more independent. As days grow
shorter and schedules more hectic, it's also the time when ALL
of us can help ensure their safety on the way to and from school.
Treat Yellow Buses Like Gold
Did you know that more bus passengers are killed each year
while unloading or loading than while
traveling inside? It is illegal in all 50 states
to pass a school bus that has stopped for
children. Whenever you see the flashing
lights come on and the stop arm begin to
extend, bring your vehicle to a complete
stop. Wait until all children are safely
across the street, the bus lights have
stopped flashing and the stop arm has
retracted before you start your vehicle
moving again. One exception is if a school
bus is stopped on one side of a divided
highway; vehicles driving in the opposite
direction and separated by a median are
allowed to continue.
Sharing the Road with School Buses
When driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance
than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time
to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. Be careful not to
tailgate a bus as they may make sudden stops when least
expected. Finally, when a school bus is trying to merge back
into traffic, you must give it the right of way.
in all 50 states to
pass a school bus
that has stopped
for children.
Silly drivers, school zones are for kids
Have your foot covering the brake pedal and your eyes
scanning the road as soon as you enter a marked school zone.
Whenever children are around, school zones require that you
obey the posted speed limit regardless of the day of week or time
of day. For example, if it's Friday night at 10 p.m. and a football
game just ended, you are required to adjust your speed to obey
the slower school-zone speed limit.
Other Back-to-School Reminders
When driving near high school campuses, bear in mind that
a higher percentage of the motorists are newly licensed teenage
drivers who may not have as much driving know-how as you
do. When dropping off students, don't double park because
this blocks visibility for other children and vehicles. Don't load
or unload children across the street from the school, and try to
carpool to reduce the number of vehicles.
Six Tips for a Safer Bus Ride
1.Leave in plenty of time to get to the bus stop.
2.While waiting, pay attention to your surroundings and
remain a safe distance from the road until the bus comes
to a complete stop. Be careful when listening to music or
playing handheld games, as these distractions may cause
potential injury.
3.Don't wear a hood, as this may make it more difficult to
hear and see traffic. Also, be cautious about clothing and
backpacks with drawstrings, toggles or keychains that
can get caught on bus handrails and doors.
4.If you drop anything while boarding or unboarding,
don't pick it up until you've alerted the driver. Stay away
from the bus wheels at all times, as the driver may not be
able to see you there.
5.After you find a seat, remain seated while the bus is in
motion and don't try to move or stand up until the bus
has come to a complete stop again.
6.If the bus has open windows, don't put your head, arms
or anything else outside the opening. 
Source: The National Safety Council, nsc.org.
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Cooperative Living September 2018

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