Stay safe around buses, they carry our future

If you spend any time at all driving in Dodge County this week, you know school is back in session—and school buses are on the road.
For the most part, we believe, local drivers are careful around school zones. They know how important it is to be extra vigilant in areas where children are crossing the street to get to and from school buildings.
Drivers know to stop when school bus drivers flash red lights and extend the stop arm, which is a signal the children are either getting on or off the bus. Frankly, everyone should understand this most basic rule.
When kids are walking around the bus, they may not be visible to drivers—and that makes them vulnerable to moving cars. That’s why state law requires keeping a distance of 20 feet between your car and the stopped bus.
But for those who don’t get it, those impatient folks who dart around when they don’t see any kids nearby, the State of Minnesota offers a hefty penalty: a minimum fine of $500, with criminal charges possible for passing on the right, when a child is present, and of course, when a child is injured or killed.
The state Office of Traffic Safety also offers some words of advice to school kids:
When waiting for the bus, be patient, stand back from road and no running or rowdy behavior.
When on the bus, stay seated, listen to the driver and use quiet voices.
When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.
Wait for the bus driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
There’s one more rule that we think is especially important for drivers and students who are sharing local streets and roads: Make eye contact. Put away your phone and eliminate all other distractions.
As the new school year begins, let’s all stay focused on keeping students safe—whether they’re walking across the street or taking the bus.