BACK-TO-SCHOOL 5a
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013 PERHAM FOCUS
Safe & Sound A back to school special supplement to the Perham Focus
School bus safety tips for kids and motorists Marie Nitke editor@perhamfocus.com
Have you ever wondered why school buses don’t have seat belts? According to information from the Minnesota State Patrol, it’s because they aren’t needed to keep kids safe. School buses are larger and heavier than most other kinds of vehicles, and the mass and weight of the bus is designed to withstand the force of a crash. School buses are also far less likely to roll over in an accident. Also, in accordance with federal regulation, school buses compartmentalize, meaning they’re designed to protect children without the need to buckle up. This is done through strong, closelyspaced seats, energy absorbing foam seat backs, and a 24inch seat height. “Visualize this by thinking how an egg carton protects the eggs,” wrote State Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow in an email to the Focus. In addition, the chassis of the school bus is designed to separate from the body of the bus in a crash; this slows down and spreads the crash forces over the entire body of the bus. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says school buses are the safest mode of transportation for children – kids are eight times safer riding in a bus to school than any other kind of vehicle. That’s good news for the hundreds of thousands of children who ride school buses in Minnesota, where at least 10,000 school bus trips are taken daily. That said, there’s still such a thing as a “danger zone,” Grabow warns, and that’s the area around the outside of a bus. More children are hurt or killed in this school bus “danger zone” than they are as bus occupants, he said. Whether due to a distracted passerby or a child standing in a bus dri-
ver’s blind spot, accidents unfortunately do happen sometimes. To keep kids as safe as possible, parents of children who ride the bus should discuss safety with them before school starts, and revisit the topic periodically throughout the school year. Grabow suggests the following to children: -When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road). -Before crossing the street, take five “giant steps” out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen. -Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross. -Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic while crossing. Motorists, meanwhile, have responsibilities of their own. When a school bus is flashing its red lights or when its stop arm is extended, drivers coming toward the bus or coming up behind it must stop at least 20 feet away, according to the State Patrol. Red flashing lights on buses indicates that kids are either entering or exiting the bus. Even on divided highways and other separated roadways, where motorists are not required to stop for school buses, drivers should always remain alert for children. As another way to improve safety, Grabow suggests that motorists alter their routes or schedules, if possible, to avoid school buses. Motorists should also watch for school crossing patrols and pedestrians, and reduce their speeds in and around school zones. State law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians at all street corners and at both marked and unmarked crosswalks. Essentially, “every corner is a crosswalk,” according to Grabow.
FOCUS file photo
School buses are the safest way for kids to travel to school – they’re eight times safer than any other kind of vehicle. Still, accidents can and do happen. Parents can help keep their kids safe by teaching them some basic rules of school bus safety.
Other bus safety tips for kids and parents include: -Walk to the bus stop, don’t run. -Use caution when crossing roadways. -Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. If no sidewalk is present, walk in the opposite direction of traffic to be aware of oncoming traffic. -Don’t fool around at the bus stop. Accidents can happen when kids are unaware of their surroundings or distracted. -Stand at the bus stop in a safe location. Do not enter the street. -Arrive at the bus stop early so there is no need to rush and be distracted. -Wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop and for other traffic to halt before approaching the bus. -Promptly take a seat, and remain seated throughout the entire ride.
-Do not distract the bus driver with loud yelling, music, etc. -Don’t throw anything around the bus. -Keep the aisle clear to avoid tripping hazards. -Follow the driver’s instructions in the event of an emergency. -Remain seated until the bus has stopped at a particular drop-off location. -If something is forgotten on the bus, don’t try to run back and retrieve it. The driver may not expect a student to be returning to the bus.
FOCUS file photo
By simply being aware of their surroundings and taking their time while getting onto the bus, kids can ensure a safer school bus experience.
Going back to school: Are you excited for school to start and why? Photos by Kiowa Wieser-Matthews/FOCUS
Here is what some area Perham students had to say about returning to school this fall.
Alison Moenkedick “Yes, to see my friends and for Reading class.”
Mara Moltzan “A tad… because I can see my friends, but it can get boring.”
Julia Johnson “Sort of, cause I get to see my friends, but I don’t like Reading.”
Alex Forrett “Yeah, for playing sports and seeing friends.”
Quentin Schumacher “Yeah, I like to have fun at school.”
Mason Hovde “Yeah, for Math and to hang out with friends.”
Anna Stoll “Yes, because I’m bored.”