Schools around the southeastern Indiana area will be back in session next week. This means more traffic on the roadways during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Your Indiana State Police would like to remind motorists to exercise caution when traveling on school bus routes and through school zones. Drivers should be alert in case a child darts out into the roadway. Motorists are also reminded that traffic in both directions must stop for the extended stop arm on the school bus while loading and unloading children. This includes traffic all lanes in both directions on multi-lane roadways unless there is a physical barrier, a median, or a dividing section constructed to impede vehicular traffic.
Parents should go over the following safety rules with their children especially those riding the bus for the first time:
· Don't run around or play games at the bus stop.
· Stand well away from the roadway until the bus comes to a complete stop.
· If your child must cross the street to board the bus, urge them to make sure traffic in both directions has stopped before stepping into the roadway.
· A child should never try to retrieve any article they may drop boarding or exiting the bus. Instead, tell the bus driver what happened or wait until the bus other traffic have moved on and it's clear to enter the roadway. Younger children should have an older student or adult retrieve the article.
· Children should secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the bus as they are exiting.
· Once on the bus the children should talk quietly.
· Keep isles clear and remain seated until the bus arrives at its destination.
Anyone who observes a motorist disregarding a school bus stop arm or other reckless driving behavior around buses or school zones should try to get a license plate number and description of the vehicle and driver if possible and call their nearest Indiana State Police Post.
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