Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Millions of kids across the country take a school bus to and from school Monday through Friday. School buses are often used for field trips and even school sporting events that require travel. The good news is that school buses are one of the safest vehicles on the road. In fact, the NHTSA reports that less than 1% of traffic fatalities involve children in school buses. While school buses are safe modes of transportation, the truth is that children are in more danger when getting on and off the school bus.
You Must Stop for School Buses
If you are driving and see a school bus in your vicinity that is slowing down or stopped, it is very important to exercise caution and never attempt to pass the bus. Children are boarding or getting off the bus, and it is illegal in Florida and every state to pass a bus while its red lights are flashing and while the stop-arm is extended.
Know What School Bus Lights Mean
Yellow flashing lights: When you see these, the bus driver is letting other drivers know that they are getting ready to stop and load or unload kids. This means that you should slow down and stop your car.
Red flashing lights: If a school bus has red flashing lights on and the stop signs extended, then you must stop your car and wait for the bus to turn off its flashing red lights, pull back its stop arms, and then resume moving before you can begin driving again.
Talk to Your Kids About School Bus Safety
It is a good idea to go over school bus safety with your kids regularly. Remind your kids where they should wait for the bus and that the bus stop is not a place for running or rough housing. Make sure your child knows to wait for the bus to completely stop and for the driver to open the doors and tell them it is OK before they get on or off the bus. On that same note, remind your kids to never walk behind a school bus, and to always make eye contact with the bus driver before they cross the street, so that they know the driver can see them. If your child drops an item by the school bus, make sure they know to alert the bus driver before they attempt to pick it up because the driver may not see them.
Stay Safe Out There
As drivers, we must pay attention to keep children safe as they enter and exit the school bus. Even if you are in a rush, do not pass a school bus. You never know if a child may dart out into the street. Be extra cautious in school zones and follow the speed limit.
Accidents happen. If your child was injured in a school bus-related accident, our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are here to help. Call us at 866-608-5529 or contact us online anytime for a free consultation.