CLEARFIELD – In observance of National School Bus Safety Week, PennDOT, along with police and school officials, came together at Centre Elementary School in Clearfield County to emphasize the importance of school bus safety on Pennsylvania roadways.
Gov. Edward G. Rendell proclaimed School Bus Safety Week in Pennsylvania to coincide with the national observance, which runs through Oct. 22.
Representatives from Lawrence Township Police, the Clearfield Area School District, Fullington Bus Company and PennDOT stressed that everyone plays an important role in school bus safety and keeping students safe while on or around the school bus. Specifically, motorists were reminded to obey traffic laws regarding school buses.
All representatives present stressed the importance of a parent or guardian being present when children get on or exit the school bus. Officials noted that having a parent or guardian present lessens the chance of a hazard or mishap. Children, parents and guardians were also urged to be at the bus stop early, as rushing can cause mistakes or problems.
Principal James Quick noted that the bus is an extension of both school and home. He urged children to listen to the bus driver, just as they would listen to their parents or teachers.
State law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended. In addition, motorists must stop when they are behind the bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Traffic can continue only after the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn and all children have reached safety.
If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists traveling in the opposite direction of the bus may proceed without stopping.
PennDOT District 2 Safety Press Officer Dawn Walls pointed out that with Daylight Saving time on the way, children getting on the morning will be harder to see due to darker conditions.
“Be even more vigilant,” Walls urged motorists.
“I just think bringing this awareness to people is fabulous,” said Barb Mumford of Fullington Bus Company. She said that in the Clearfield Area School District, buses travel 2,700 miles in a day and transport over 1,800 children a day.
Mumford said Fullington’s policy is safety first, schedule second. She added that safety meetings are held at least once month.
“Our greatest focus is on the kids’ safety,” said bus driver Joe Rohrbaker.
Last year, more than 850 motorists were convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law. Officer Mike Morris of the LTPD, stated that for violating the law include: a fine of $250, five points on the motorist’s driving record and a 60-day license suspension. Morris urged motorists to be cautious when sharing the road with buses.
For more information about school bus safety, visit PennDOT’s highway safety Web site, www.DriveSafePA.org and select “Traffic Safety Information Center,” then “School Bus Safety.” The Web site also offers an interactive feature illustrating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law to help motorists learn what to do when approaching or traveling behind a school bus.