When schools open their doors for classes following summer break – it typically changes traffic patterns resulting in clogged roads, stopped buses and lower speed limits. This impacts everyone including drivers, parents and students.
Three local separate school systems – Senatobia, Tate County and Magnolia Heights – use buses to transport students to and from campus leading to more congestion on roadways during mornings and afternoons.
Senatobia School District runs a total of 16 buses each school day, while Tate County utilizes 42 for its five schools. Magnolia Heights School disperses two buses – one to Hernando and another to Batesville – for student pick-up and drop off.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed riding a school bus is safer than traveling to school in a family vehicle even though buses offer unique challenges to motorists.
Keep these tips in mind for sharing the road with buses and driving near schools and bus stops:
When you're driving near buses and schools
• Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. In fact, a pedestrian struck by a car traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 10 mph faster.
• Be patient and do not pass. Never, ever pass a stopped school bus on either side. In Mississippi, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended, whether you are approaching from the front or the rear. This includes when the bus is stopped to load or unload children.
• Eliminate distractions. Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your risk of crashing. And since children can cross the road unexpectedly and emerge suddenly between two vehicles, avoiding distractions like using your phone or eating is key to sharing the road with school buses.
• Come to a complete stop. More than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop and check carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
• 'Flashing Yellow! Slow Down Fellow!' Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop for students to get on or off. You should slow down and prepare to stop, too.
• 'STOP!' Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Stop your vehicle and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, the bus begins moving and no children are in the street before you start driving again.
When you're driving near school zones:
• Reverse carefully. Every vehicle has blind spots, and backup cameras don't show your entire surroundings. Check for children on sidewalks, in driveways and around your vehicle before slowly backing up.
• Be alert. Students late for the bus may run into the street without looking for traffic, so always slow down and watch for children near bus stops.
• Beware of blind spots. A bus has several spots around it where students can't see approaching vehicles, and vice versa.
• Arrive early. Get your children to the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive, stand at least three giant steps (six feet) from the curb and ensure your children know that the bus stop isn't a place to run or play.
• Wait for the bus to fully stop. When it arrives, make sure the bus comes to a complete stop and the door opens before your kids approach it.
• Don’t walk behind a school bus. When crossing in front of or beside the bus, ensure you and your children.
