The summer has breezed by, and school begins Aug. 7 for Cumberland County.
The safety of our bus-riding children, buses, and roadways is a priority. The Fairfield Glade Police Department will be paying close attention to ensure drivers are abiding by traffic laws and are not putting these children in danger.
Parents and guardians: It is important to talk to your children about bus-stop safety tips.
Arrival time. Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus arrives. Ahead of the new school year, visit the bus stop and show your child where to wait for the bus, at least 10 feet (five giant steps) away from the curb. Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play.
Crossing the street. Your child should never walk behind a school bus. If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, tell them to walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street to a place at least 10 feet (five giant steps) in front of the bus before crossing.
Your child should also make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to make sure the driver can see that they are crossing to avoid the danger zone.
If your child drops something near the school bus, like a phone or book, they should tell the bus driver right away and not try to pick up the item, because the driver might not be able to see them.
Motorists: School bus safety rules
Oftentimes, drivers illegally pass school buses because they are in a hurry. Please allow yourself extra time on the road so you are not tempted to take unnecessary risks that endanger children.
Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and “stop” arms extended.
There is only one exception, as outlined here:
Two-lane street. All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.
Multi-lane paved median. All drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.
Divided highway. Traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least 5 feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic.
However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus.
Working together as a community to ensure the safety of our buses also ensures the safety of our children.
Call the Fairfield Glade Police Department at 931-484-3785 or visit fgpolice.org for more information.