While more students are headed back to the classroom than last school year, virtual learning is still an option for some. Either way, more people will be on the road at some point during the day, including children, and keeping them safe should always be on your mind. 

 

School buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road; they’re designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries. California law requires drivers to stop when a school bus extends its stop sign, and its red lights are flashing. Drivers must remain stopped if the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road that does not have a center median or a center turn lane.  

 

If you are driving, remember these simple rules:

• When you see yellow flashing lights on a school bus, slow down, don’t speed up, the bus is preparing to stop. Students are likely waiting to get on or off the bus, and or parents are waiting nearby to pick up their children. 
• When you see red flashing lights, stop and wait at least 20 feet behind the bus because children are getting on or off the school bus. Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm folds in, and the bus begins moving.
• Even when lights aren’t flashing, watch for children around school arrival and dismissal times, particularly in the morning or mid-afternoon. Always be alert when you drive through a neighborhood, school zone, or bus stop.
• Slow down.
• Follow any school rules for dropping off or picking up students.
• Whenever possible, avoid blocking the crosswalk while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street. Make sure cars see you. 
• Walk on sidewalks when available. Cross at marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. 

 

Following these traffic safety tips will help keep school zones safe for children. 

 

Click here to view a video from Corporal Estupinian on Traffic Safety.