School buses are back on the road this week. For many districts, it’s the first time everyone has been in the building together in about 18 months. Some districts start Tuesday, many start Wednesday, and by the end of the week, most students will be back in the classroom everywhere. To do that, they have to get to school safely.
Police are encouraging drivers to be cautious. Give yourself extra time getting to and from work or wherever you’re going today. Watch for school buses and students.
What You Need To Know
- This week, many students are returning to the classroom for the first time in 18 months
- Police will be patrolling school zones for speeding and traffic violations
- Drivers are encouraged to be extra cautious in school zones and around buses as they pick up and drop off kids
Law enforcement will be out, making sure kids get to school safely. They’ll be in marked and unmarked cars. State troopers will be on some buses making sure people are paying attention to children and the laws. Sheriffs and local police will be patrolling school zones, too.
Slow down when you see the flashing school zone lights and be cautious around schools and bus stops.
“Children are crossing over,” said State Trooper Jack Keller. “They may not be looking for you, but you should be looking for them. Another reminder is kids are going to be excited to see their friends, they’re not going to cross at a crosswalk. They may be going between cars, so we have to be extra cautious when we’re driving through.”
Of course, stop when you see the red lights on a bus. Many buses have cameras, so even if there isn’t a police officer nearby, you could be recorded breaking the law. The penalty for passing a stopped school bus is up to a $400 fine and 30 days in jail for the first offense.
“Right now, we have to remind ourselves that even though the red light is on, there are some vehicles that forget or don’t pay attention,” said Keller. “When they go through them, they put a lot of people at risk, especially the children. And that’s why we’re out there. We’re going to be out even riding some school buses to make sure people are paying attention not only to the law but to the children.”
With more police out on the roads, they’re looking for cell phone and seatbelt violations too.
