8/13/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
SCHOOL SAFETY: Drivers need to be vigilant, aware as school resumes
BOISE - Streets and neighborhoods become more crowded when school resumes. Routes that might be free of pedestrians and bicycle riders in the summer become congested. Travel times increase. So too does the potential for vehicle crashes with school-age children, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.
Motorists need to increase their vigilance, especially around schools and along crowed routes. The following suggestions can help ensure everyone reaches his or her destination safely:
• Motorists should be keenly
aware of the risks that accompany the reopening of schools as more
children use sidewalks and bicycle paths. Anticipate spontaneous
movement from children who sometimes are distracted and unaware of their
surroundings.
• Drive with extra care near school zones or other areas where children might be present, such as parks or playgrounds.
• Obey the posted speed limit and be aware of reduced speed limits
near schools and in corridors defined by flashing yellow lights.
• If dropping off children, deliver them as close to school as
possible and follow established traffic patterns. Don’t leave until
children are safely on the school grounds.
• Avoid distractions, especially cell phone use, when transporting children.
• Buses sometimes stop in travel lanes, requiring approaching vehicles to slow or stop.
• It is illegal, in every state, to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
• The most dangerous area for children loading or leaving a school
bus is within 10 feet. Allow enough room around the bus for children to
walk unhindered.
• Never pass a stopped school bus on the right.
• Do not honk your horn, race your engine or do anything to rush or
scare a pedestrian, even if you have the legal
right-of-way.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus stopped
to pick up or deliver school children if the bus displays flashing red
signals. Flashing yellow lights indicate the bus is slowing to stop.
Drivers should consider the flashing yellow school bus lights as they
would a solid yellow traffic signal.
• On a two-lane road,
following and oncoming traffic must stop and remain stopped as long as
the school bus displays flashing red lights and/or the stop arm on the
driver’s side of the bus is extended.
• On a highway with two
or more lanes of traffic in each direction, oncoming traffic is not
required to stop when meeting a school bus. However, motorists still are
urged to watch for children crossing traffic lanes while on their way
to or from the bus.
• Drivers also should use caution when
traveling through school zones or near routes used by children and
should observe school speed limits and the instructions of crossing
guards.