School buses on the move again

By JULIET BRISKIN | Staff writer

Often, rural school bus stops are unmarked and only the bright, flashing lights on the bus are indication to motorists that kids are loading, or unloading, from the stopped vehicles. -- Staff photo

Sept. 2, 2004 - While a collective sigh of relief can be heard from parents across the state as their bundles of boundless energy have headed back to school, public safety and school officials warn drivers to slow down and pay attention. Bus stops and crosswalks, located outside school zones and especially in rural locations, are most often unmarked and can easily be overlooked by drivers.

"Drivers need to be aware of school zones," explained Lisa Block, Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) public information officer, "particularly on their routes to and from work. After the long summer, drivers can forget that children may be using the same route in their journey to get to school."

Block suggested that drivers hang up their cell phones and avoid adjusting the radio or participating in any activity that draws their attention away from the road during their commute. One important reminder she has for drivers is to always stop when approaching a school bus that has its loading or unloading signals flashing.

"School busses are the safest form of transportation for students," contended Block. "But the most dangerous time of their journey is when kids are entering or exiting the bus."

The Texas Transportation Code, section 545.066, clearly states that "when approaching, from either direction, a school bus stopped on the highway to receive or discharge a student, drivers must (1) stop before reaching the school bus when the bus is operating a visual signal and (2) may not proceed until (A) the school bus resumes motion; (B) the operator is signaled by the bus driver to proceed; or (C) the visual signal is no longer actuated."

DeEtta Culbertson, spokeswoman for the Texas Education Agency, reminded drivers that school busses are extremely hard to see around. "Kids are kids and even though we tell them to, they don't look. It really is up to the drivers to practice as much caution as possible."

Culbertson added that drivers also need to remember that school buses are required by law to stop at all railroad crossings whether the arms are down or not.

"We cannot impress upon drivers enough to respect the school bus," said Culbertson. "Drivers need to be patient and wait until the bus has turned off its signals and begins to move."

Many of the drivers on the roads are also parents of school-age children and Block highly recommended that parents discuss with their children the importance of safe behavior and remaining alert when approaching a roadway.

"Parents need to remind their children to pay attention," Block explains, "and to not assume that every driver sees them and will stop for them."