| Imagine: millions of students nationwide start their | | | | people may be rushing about on their way to |
| day by getting on and off the school bus. The | | | | class or to meet a parent. |
| National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | | | | - Children: No need to rush when getting on or |
| (NHTSA) says that year after year, pedestrians | | | | off. Wait until the bus hits a full stop, with the |
| who are usually below the age of 19 have died in | | | | doors wide open before getting in. Use the |
| school bus-related crashes. More school-age | | | | handrails to avoid falls. |
| pedestrians have been killed between the hours | | | | Visibility. |
| of 3 and 4 p.m. than any other time of day. The | | | | - Drivers: For a vehicle such as a school bus, you |
| NHTSA has even formulated several safety tips | | | | really can't see what's directly below you. Be |
| for both drivers and children: | | | | careful before speeding on. |
| Take note of the crosswalk/school zone sign. | | | | - Children: When crossing in front of a bus, put a |
| - Drivers: This means that during mornings and | | | | safe distance (say, 10 feet) between the bus and |
| afternoons, these areas are likely to be crowded | | | | where you plan to cross. Use sidewalks and |
| with children --- some even on their bicycles or | | | | walkways where you're sure the driver sees you. |
| in-line skates. All of them are no match to a bus, | | | | Backing up. |
| so extra care in part of the driver is needed. | | | | - Drivers: Be aware if children/bicycles are |
| - Children: Do what you learned in pre-school: look | | | | crossing behind you. |
| left, then right to see if vehicles or people are | | | | - Children: Never be the children/children-in-bicycles |
| going to pass before crossing the street. If you | | | | who cross behind buses. |
| could, go along with other children/people using | | | | To enforce traffic safety, the state of Florida has |
| the crosswalk. | | | | enforced tougher penalties for passing a stopped |
| Learn the "Flashing Signal Light System"that school | | | | school bus while loading or unloading children. |
| buses use. | | | | Previously the fine was $65.00, however now |
| - Drivers: Alert motorists if you are preparing to | | | | they are required to attend a 4-hour basic driver |
| stopping the school bus using the yellow/red light. | | | | improvement course. This course explains Florida |
| - Children:Just because they are in a stop position | | | | traffic laws and provides a refresher on defensive |
| does not mean there is no more danger. Take | | | | driving techniques. |
| note of the danger zones around a stopped | | | | So, for all drivers before you rush to pass a |
| school bus, namely, the front and back (which are | | | | stopped school bus remember that the school bus |
| the most dangerous zones) and the driver's side | | | | uses the red flashing lights for a reason. And for |
| of the bus. | | | | pedestrians and children always but safety first |
| Slow down. | | | | and proceed with caution when exiting or entering |
| - Drivers: Be alert around school zones. Young | | | | the bus or in school zones. |