Auto Shop Advice on School Bus Safety!
Contrary to what many parents may believe, school buses are one of the safest forms of transportation on the road today. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proven that riding a bus to school is 13 times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle and 10 times safer than walking. It's a fact that more children are hurt outside the bus than inside, either hit by the bus or by motorists illegally passing a stopped bus. Many auto shops promote school bus safety this time of year. They believe the safety of children should be a top priority for all drivers.
To refresh the memory of drivers, an auto center offers these reminders of the school bus safety laws in all states:
- On undivided roadways, traffic in both directions must stop when students are loading or unloading from a school bus. On a divided roadway, state laws may vary on what is required, but in all cases, traffic traveling the same direction behind the bus must stop.
- Space, where children are in the most danger of being hit, is the 10 feet area surrounding the bus. Allow more than the minimum amount of space for children to safely load and unload.
- Children can be unpredictable so stay alert when you come upon a school bus. They usually feel the safest in the place where they get on or off the bus. They can easily get distracted or not be aware of a dangerous situation.
- Yellow flashing lights on the school bus alert drivers that they are about to stop. A red flashing light and an extended arm signal indicate that the bus is stopping to unload or load children.
- The laws in school zones are strict and fines can be hefty. Depending on your actual speed, a ticket received in a school zone can add 3 to 6 points on your driver's license, a charge for reckless driving, or even cause you to lose your license for up to six months.
- 25 mph is the maximum speed limit if you see flashing lights or signals in a school zone. Otherwise, drivers may travel at the posted speed limit.
- Passing a school bus on the right is illegal. It could have tragic consequences.
This auto shop wants you and your children to be safe! If you have any concerns about the safety of your vehicle, our staff will be happy to help you. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go online at https://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
About the Author
Contrary to what many parents may believe, school buses are one of the safest forms of transportation on the road today. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proven that riding a bus to school is 13 times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle and 10 times safer than walking. It's a fact that more children are hurt outside the bus than inside, either hit by the bus or by motorists illegally passing a stopped bus. Many auto shops promote school bus safety this time of year. They believe the safety of children should be a top priority for all drivers.
To refresh the memory of drivers, an auto center offers these reminders of the school bus safety laws in all states:
- On undivided roadways, traffic in both directions must stop when students are loading or unloading from a school bus. On a divided roadway, state laws may vary on what is required, but in all cases, traffic traveling the same direction behind the bus must stop.
- Space, where children are in the most danger of being hit, is the 10 feet area surrounding the bus. Allow more than the minimum amount of space for children to safely load and unload.
- Children can be unpredictable so stay alert when you come upon a school bus. They usually feel the safest in the place where they get on or off the bus. They can easily get distracted or not be aware of a dangerous situation.
- Yellow flashing lights on the school bus alert drivers that they are about to stop. A red flashing light and an extended arm signal indicate that the bus is stopping to unload or load children.
- The laws in school zones are strict and fines can be hefty. Depending on your actual speed, a ticket received in a school zone can add 3 to 6 points on your driver's license, a charge for reckless driving, or even cause you to lose your license for up to six months.
- 25 mph is the maximum speed limit if you see flashing lights or signals in a school zone. Otherwise, drivers may travel at the posted speed limit.
- Passing a school bus on the right is illegal. It could have tragic consequences.
This auto shop wants you and your children to be safe! If you have any concerns about the safety of your vehicle, our staff will be happy to help you. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go online at https://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
About the Author
