School Buses Inspected for Safety

Tag : flashing shoelaces

By Tracy Crockett (SALINA, Kan.)
In just weeks kids will board school busses for the first day ofschool, but how safe are the busses your child will ride on? Whatsteps are made to ensure the busses your children are riding inare secure?
Bus drivers have a big responsibility. School bus driver ChrissyWeigel says, "We're carrying around their precious cargo." That'swhy the Durham School Services staff here in Salina spent nearlyall summer getting ready for the upcoming school year.
Bus driver & mechanic helper, Jim Jackson says, "We look atevery nut and bolt and screw that there is and make sure everythingis up to code and everything is working properly."
Then the buses are checked again by the highway patrol. KansasState Highway Patrol Trooper Scott Walker says, "We're their lineof defense if they have faulty tires, faulty steering stuff, lightsaren't working, we make the schools aware that there is some sortof error and then they can make the corrections before the kidsactually get on the buses."
Each district in the state is required to have their busesinspected every year before they hit the road. Checking every partof the bus inside and out.
"Most of the violations that we see are just simple lights andstuff." But Trooper Walker says these lights are importantfeatures. "If that's not operable sometimes it may confuse anotherdriver."
So they are fixed to pass the inspection. Making these bus driversready to hit the road. Weigel says "It makes me feel good as aparent knowing that my son's going to get to school safe."
Troopers will inspect nearly 9,000 school buses across the state. A bus that has passed inspection will display a yellow sticker ofapproval in the corner of the windshield. Those that don't passcannot be used to transport children.
The Kansas Highway Patrol offers the following safety tips forparents, children, and motorists before the school year starts.
Tips for Children
Do not hurry to get on or off the bus. Get to the bus stop at leastfive minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
When the bus approaches, stand at least five giant steps away fromthe curb, and line up away from the street.
Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it isOK before stepping onto the bus. Use the handrails to avoid falls.Be careful that clothes, shoelaces, book bags, or other items donot get caught on the handrail or door of the bus.
If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on thesidewalk or along the side of the road at least five giant steps(10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross in front of it. Be surethe driver can see you, and you can see the driver. Never walkbehind the bus, and walk at least three giant steps away from theside of the bus.
Children should stop at the bus's edge and look both ways twice foroncoming traffic before crossing the street. Kids must learn theimportance of watching for traffic before getting off the bus orcrossing the street, because drivers may not see them.
If you drop something, tell the driver and wait to make sure thedriver understands before trying to pick it up. The driver may notsee a child bending down. In addition, a child is less likely todrop something in traffic if he or she carries the school suppliesin a backpack.
Obey the bus driver, sit facing forward in the seat, use aninside-voice, and do not stick anything out the windows.
Tips for Drivers
When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out forchildren walking or riding a bicycle to school.
When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out foryoung people who may be thinking about getting to school, but maynot be thinking about getting there safely.
Slow down. Watch for children congregating near bus stops.
Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into thestreet without looking for traffic.
Know it is illegal to pass a school bus stopped to load or unloadstudents. In Kansas, the fine for this potentially deadly violationis $300 plus court costs.
Learn the flashing signal light system that school bus drivers useto alert motorists of pending actions. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop toload or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare tostop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicates the bus isstopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop andwait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended sign iswithdrawn, and the bus begins moving before starting to driveagain.