Ask a Trooper: School bus safety advice

Sgt. Neil Dickenson of the Minnesota State Patrol offers some timely reminders on safety around school buses as the new school year starts up:

• Parents should discuss and demonstrate pedestrian safety with their children and reinforce safe crossing after exiting a bus.

• When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.

• Before crossing the street, wait until the driver’s face can be seen. Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.

• Look left, right, and then left again when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic when crossing.

• Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and/or has its stop arm extended, when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads.

• Red flashing lights on buses indicate that students are either entering or exiting the bus.

• Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway but they should remain alert for children.

• Altering a route or schedule to avoid a bus is one way motorists can help improve safety. By doing so, motorists won’t find themselves behind a bus where they potentially put children at risk.

• Watch for school crossing patrols and pedestrians. Reduce speeds in and around school zones.

• Watch and stop for pedestrians. The law applies to all street corners, for both marked and unmarked crosswalks (all street corners) — every corner is a crosswalk.

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for children — children are eight times safer riding in a bus to school than any other vehicles. The most important thing to remember whether you are a motorist or a pedestrian is to pay attention.

If you have any questions about traffic-related laws or issues, send questions to Sgt. Neil Dickenson, Minnesota State Patrol, 1131 Mesaba Ave., Duluth MN 55811. Or email [email protected].