SEYMOUR – As students return to the classroom, the Seymour Traffic Safety Partnership reminds motorists to exercise extra caution around school buses. While these yellow vehicles are typically safe, accidents occur outside or near the buses due to driver error.
Drivers must slow down and prepare to stop when a school bus’s yellow lights begin flashing. Once the red lights activate and the stop arm extends, all vehicles on a single-lane road must come to a complete stop. An exception to this rule is on divided highways with a physical barrier, where only traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop.
The area around a school bus is known as the “Danger Zone.” This includes a 10-foot radius surrounding the bus and the area behind it. Due to blind spots, children are at increased risk in these areas.
A recent survey revealed alarming statistics about stop-arm violations in Indiana, highlighting the need for heightened awareness among drivers. To ensure the safety of school children, it is crucial for motorists to obey the law and come to a complete stop when a school bus’s red lights are flashing.
For more information on school bus safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
