The long hot summer is over, and the kids are heading back to school. If you have children of your own, back to school time means shopping, making lunches and getting the little ones ready for the big day. But even if you do not have children, there are things you can do to keep those kids safe.
Now that the roads are filled with school buses, it is time to do your part for safety. You have spent the entire summer without having to share the road, but now these large vehicles are back. You can do your part for the safety of your kids and others by following these rules of the road.
Research the School Bus Schedule
Even if you do not have kids in school, it is a good idea to know the local school bus schedule. Knowing the schedule will help you adjust your own commute, so you do not end up trapped behind a slow moving school bus or find yourself getting impatient behind the wheel.
You may need to leave a few minutes earlier, or a few minutes later, than usual to accommodate the school bus schedule, but it will be worth it in the end. Many schools publish their bus schedules online, so finding this information should be relatively easy.
Be Aware of Blind Spots
School buses are large vehicles, and as such they can have blind spots. Being aware of these blind spots can help you increase the safety of everyone onboard, and your own safety as well.
The spot right behind the side mirrors is often difficult to see, as is the area directly behind the bus. You should not get close to the school bus while it is stopped, but being aware of potential blind spots when the bus is in motion is important too.
Know the Rules of the Road
There are specific laws governing driver behavior when school buses are around, so grab your old driver’s manual and brush up on those rules. You should come to a complete stop when the school bus is discharging children, and wait until all the kids have exited and the bus has started moving before you go on your way.
If you run afoul of these rules of the road, the local police force will be happy to remind you. The fines for violating school bus rules are quite severe, and in some cases you could even lose your license.
Safety is the number one consideration when it comes to school buses and school kids, so give these vehicles the respect they deserve. It may take a few more minutes to get to work, but the safety of our children is worth the wait.
