With students back in the classroom, authorities remind drivers to beware of school busses, school crosswalks

With the new academic school year underway, authorities here in New York State are reminding drivers to be on constant alert for school busses and for students crossing the streets in school zones.

Be sure to listen to our latest on-air coverage on school safety with Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli:

The New York Association for Pupil Transportation estimates that every day, as many as 50,000 drivers statewide illegally pass stopped school buses with their red lights flashing.

Thanks to newly equipped stop arm camera devices, police are now able to catch drivers who pass a stopped school bus while it’s red stop sign is out and flashing lights are activated.

According to the DMV office, drivers who fail to adhere to a stopped school bus inflict a tremendous risk for students who are either boarding or de-boarding the bus.

Officials say that paying attention and following the tips below can go a long way toward protecting students and drivers.

Sharing the Road with School Buses and Students:

• School buses make frequent stops and typically travel at slower speeds. Be patient, slow down and be prepared to stop for them.
• Yellow lights mean the bus is going to stop – so slow down!
• Never pass—on the right or the left—a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. The red flashing lights mean students are getting on or off the bus. Watch for children who cross in front of the bus when the bus is stopped.
• Watch for children running to bus stops or standing by bus stops, near school buildings and where there are signs for school zones.
• Obey reduced speed limits near schools.
• Stop at crosswalks, especially when school is opening in the morning and closing in the afternoon. Drivers, bikers or anyone on a scooter must stop to allow people in crosswalks to cross the street.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
• School buses are required to stop at railroad crossings by law—so be prepared to stop at railroad crossings if driving behind a school bus.
• Drive distraction-free. Never use electronic devices while driving and be sure to actively focus on the road and your surroundings.

Tips for Students:

Whether walking to and from school, taking the bus or riding a bike or scooter, it is important that students know how to protect themselves. Parents or guardians should remind young children and first-time students of these important tips before they leave for school.

1. Look carefully to the left, right, and left again when crossing the street.
2. When waiting for the school bus, wait at the bus stop and stand well back from the curb.

When getting off the bus:

• Look to the rear of the bus before stepping off the bottom step. The Pupil Transportation Safety Institute reports that more and more motorists are passing stopped school buses on the right side, where students exit.
• Take five giant steps straight out the bus door and out of the danger zone (areas around buses where the driver can’t see you).
• Make eye contact with the driver and wait for the driver to signal before you cross in front of the bus.
• Never go back for anything left on the bus.
• Never bend down near or under the bus.
• Your school district probably has a school bus behavior policy. Your bus driver’s number one interest is your safety, so listen to your bus driver should there be special instructions for your bus ride. Be sure to sit quietly in your seat and limit distractions. 
• If riding to school on a bike or scooter, obey traffic laws and signs and yield to pedestrians. No one under the age of 16 can legally ride e-bikes or e-scooters.

Drivers should also be aware of changing road conditions, such as slippery leaves, more deer moving about, and the sun sitting lower on the horizon causing a blinding glare.

NYS DMV image.