What You Need to Know About School Bus Safety
Posted Friday, August 23, 2019 by Chris Thayer
Most everyone has probably been driving behind a school bus when it stops and puts its red flashing lights on. When this happens, all other drivers on the road are supposed to stop, but sometimes one car in a hurry blows by the school bus while the children are exiting the vehicle. This is extremely dangerous for all parties involved.
With school starting, it is a good time to remind ourselves of the laws surrounding school buses, safety, and how we can keep ourselves and the children riding the buses safer. Whether your child rides a school bus or not, it is important to know important safety tips for driving around school buses.
There are many techniques you can implement in your own driving to be safer around a school bus. Some of these include:
- Keep Your Distance: While you should never ride too close to another driver on the road, it is especially true when it comes to a school bus. School buses are large vehicles that can obstruct your view of others on the road. The bus driver also has a large blind spot, so make sure that you are an appropriate distance away.
- Slow Down: It is not uncommon for a school bus to move more slowly than the posted speed limit. This reduced speed is due in part to the safety of the children on board and the frequency of stops a bus might have to make. You should always follow the speed limit, but around school buses, be extra conscious of your speed and even reduce your speed in some instances.
- Know the Laws: School buses are required to follow the rules of the road like other motorists, but are often subject to additional laws. For example, a school bus is required to stop at a railroad crossing at all times, not just when the barrier arm is lowered. This might seem like an inconvenience to you, but knowing the bus in front of you is going to stop can reduce your chance of an accident or other driving issue.
At the end of the day, a school bus is transporting children to and from school. Washington law is specific in stating when an approaching vehicle must stop for a school bus. There are certain exceptions to this rule (driving on a divided highway, etc.) but for the most part, it is best to stop when you see a school bus stopping and letting off children.
No one wants to think about being in an accident or their child being injured on a school bus. Unfortunately, there is always a possibility of an accident and injury occurring. The personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group are here to help you in the event of an injury or accident involving a school bus. We know that injuries and accidents can be devastating and want to help you explore your legal options for recovery. Contact us today for a consultation.
(image courtesy of Austin Pacheco)