National School Bus Safety Week
By: Web Producer
Updated: October 22, 2007
From: The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Transportation Safety:
Be Aware! Cross With Care.
October 22 – 26 is National School Bus Safety Week
FRANKFORT, Ky. (October 22, 2007) – In honor of National School Bus Safety Week October 22-26, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Transportation Safety is reminding all students to “Be Aware! Cross With Care.”
Each year in the United States, approximately 450,000 public school buses travel 4.3 billion miles to transport 23.5 million children to and from school and school-related activities. In 2006, there were 1,311 collisions either directly or indirectly involving a school bus in Kentucky. These collisions resulted in 400 injuries and six fatalities.
Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert said getting to-and-from the bus is more dangerous than riding the bus. “Pedestrians account for the highest number of school bus related fatalities with a greater risk in loading and unloading zones. These fatalities occur either when motorists violate the school bus stop law, or the child is standing or walking in the bus driver’s blind spot,” Nighbert said.
In recognition of the national awareness week, the Department of Transportation Safety will be distributing school bus safety tip sheets to schools across the commonwealth. Additional information regarding highway safety can be obtained at www.highwaysafety.ky.gov.
“Motorists are required to stop for school buses that are displaying flashing red lights and a stop arm,” said Transportation Safety Commissioner Tim Hazlette. “Sometimes drivers are not fully alert and pass a stopped school bus. That can be a very dangerous situation for children, especially the younger ones who may not be watching traffic as closely as they should.”
The following are tips students should know in order to safely get on-and-off the bus:
· Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early
· Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.
· Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
· If crossing the street, wait for the driver’s signal to cross. Always walk in front of the bus, never behind the bus.
· Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bag straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.
· Check both ways for cars before stepping off the bus
