Delaware school buses are involved in approximately 200 traffic crashes a year. While the COVID-19 shutdown saw a drastic decline in school buses on the roads in 2020-21, that will change this year as students return to in-person learning and buses return to the roads. It is important for both drivers and pedestrians to refresh themselves on some basic safety practices.
In general, the return to the roads has been bumpy. Drivers seem to be out of practice when it comes to the rules of the roads. With school buses and students walking and biking to school, this could be a recipe for disaster. AAA offers tips for all drivers:
• Always stop for school buses. Flashing yellow lights on a school bus indicate it is preparing to stop to load or unload children and motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on and/or off. Motorists are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.
• Keep track of time. Be aware of the time of day you’re on the road and how that coincides with the school day. More school-age pedestrians are killed from 7-8 a.m. and from 3-4 p.m. than any other hours of the day.
• Slow down. Whether in a school zone or residential neighborhood, drivers should keep their speed low and be prepared to stop quickly for increased vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
• Come to a complete stop and check carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
• Eliminate distractions. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing. Children can be quick, crossing the road unexpectedly or emerging suddenly between two parked cars. Reduce risk by not using your cellphone while driving.
• Obey traffic signs. Unfortunately, many motorists violate stop signs in school zones and residential neighborhoods — failing to come to a complete stop, rolling through a stop sign or not slowing down at all.
AAA also offers some basic tips for parents dropping off and picking up their children:
• Follow school drop-off and pickup procedures. These may have changed.
• Don’t double-park. It blocks visibility for other children and vehicles.
• Don’t load or unload children across the street from the school.
• Have children exit the vehicle on the curb side every time (so they aren’t opening the car’s door into an oncoming traffic lane or crossing around the front/back of the car to get to the curb).
• Slow down, eliminate distractions and watch for children.
No matter the plan, no matter the mode of transportation, everyone needs to remain vigilant — put down the phone, look up and pay attention to help local students get to and from school safely.
Ken Grant is the public and government affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
