Chief’s Column: Safety tips for drivers and students as buses roll Wednesday

For many students in Grafton, school will begin this week. Although back to school activities will look much different amidst the COVID-19 precautions that have been put into place, there will be an increase in travel on our roadways including school bus traffic… something we all haven’t seen since March. To help make for a safe and accident-free back to school season, we would once again like to offer these suggestions for students, parents and motorists:

For Bus Riders:

• Make sure to arrive on time at the bus stop.
• Line up facing the school bus door, not along the side of the school bus.
• Follow directions from your bus driver as to boarding, seating and leaving the bus.
• Don’t play in the street while waiting for the school bus.
• Carry your belongings in a backpack or book bag – but try to keep it light!
• Never reach under a school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen underneath.
• Wait for a signal from the bus driver before you cross the street. Walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so that the bus driver can see you.
• Never cross the street behind the school bus.
• Wait in a safe place well back from the edge of the road.
• Do not play in ditches or on snow banks.
• Enter the bus in single file holding the hand rail.
• Find a seat right away and stay seated facing forward at all times.
• Do not place things in the aisle.
• Avoid rowdy behavior. Do not throw things or eat or drink.
• Keep your arms and head inside the bus.
• When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
• After getting off the school bus, move immediately onto the sidewalk or road shoulder, out of traffic.

For Walkers or Bikers:

• Never walk alone – always walk with a buddy.
• Pay attention to all traffic signals. Never cross the street against the light, even if there are no cars coming.
• Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings. Stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields, and other places where there aren’t many people around.
• Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
• Walk your bicycle across intersections.
• Wear bright colored clothing to be more visible to street traffic.

For Drivers and Passengers:

• Everyone in the car should wear a seat belt. In the event of an accident they lower the risk of injury by 45 percent. Remember, its not only good advice…it’s the law.
• Motor vehicles are the leading cause of death for people age 15 to 18 years old. Remind your teenager to take extra precautions if he or she drives to school or rides with another teenage driver.
• Make sure babies and young children are in approved child passenger safety seats at all times during a car ride.
• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
• Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Learn and obey the school bus laws. Learn the “flashing signal light system” that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions: Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again. Note – Failure to stop shall result in a fine of $250.00.

Some Additional Tips for Working Parents to Keep in Mind:

• Be sure your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult, and how to use 9-1-1 for emergencies. If your child does not have a cell phone, make sure he/she has enough change to make a phone call or carries a telephone calling card.
• When car-pooling, drop off and pick up children as close to school as possible. Don’t leave until they have entered the schoolyard or building.
• Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remember, a stranger is anyone you or your children doesn’t know well or doesn’t trust.
• If your child is home alone for a few hours after school, set up rules for locking doors and windows and answering the door or telephone.
• Make sure your child checks in with you or a neighbor immediately after school.
• Agree on rules for inviting friends over and for going to a friend’s house when no adult is home.

By following the above recommendations as well as the COVID-19 precautions (wearing a mask, staying at home if ill, washing hands frequently and maintaining social distancing) it is hoped that the school season will be safe, productive and incident free.