Winter School Bus Safety

Written by David Harman, Transportation Supervisor

Frigid winds, snow and ice trigger important winter weather safety reminders to motorists, students and parents. It is critical that motorists use extra caution when approaching school buses during route time as they make frequent stops. Laws in all states require drivers to stop when the overhead lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended. The lesser known part of that law requires drivers in all lanes to stop if there is no physical barrier between lanes of travel. Therefore on roads such as Willowcreek Road, Highway 20, Central Avenue and sections of Highway 6, all lanes of traffic must stop for the school bus.

Portage Township School bus drivers participate in a comprehensive training program which includes preparation for driving in inclement weather and adverse conditions like wintery weather. Drivers conduct a daily pre-trip inspection of their buses before they go on their route. School buses are also designed to provide maximum safety every day, even in extreme weather conditions. In fact, school buses are the safest way to get to and from school; nearly 10 times safer than walking to school and as much as 13 times safer than traveling in a passenger vehicle, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

I would like to provide these additional winter weather school bus safety tips for students:

• Students who walk to or wait at school bus stops should dress appropriately for cold, icy weather. Proper outerwear includes warm coats, gloves, hats and waterproof footwear. Passengers should not wear clothes with toggles or dangling key chains as they can get caught in the bus doors or on the handrails.
• Stay alert! The old adage of “stop, look and listen” is so important for school children. Hoodies, headphones and portable electronic devices can distract students from paying attention to surrounding traffic.
  
• Students should never run after the bus. Plan ahead and allow sufficient time to get to the bus stop. Be at the stop waiting for the bus. As the weather gets colder, the temptation to wait inside until the bus gets there is stronger. Please remember, when we wait on your student to run out of the house to get to the bus, the bus falls behind on the route and it forces all of the other students on that route to wait in the cold.
  
• Passengers should wait for the bus to stop completely before approaching the bus to get on or before standing up to get off. Always use caution when stepping on or off the bus and wait for the drivers signal to cross in front of the bus when loading and unloading.
  
• Remember the “Danger Zone” around the bus. Loading and unloading is the most dangerous time when riding the bus. Staying out of the danger zone will help ensure the driver is able to see you and make loading and unloading safer.
  
• Parents and students should check the school web page or local media for school cancelation or delay information