It’s difficult to believe, but summer is officially over for hundreds of people in Marion County.
School starts today.
Students of all ages will cram their backpacks full of new binders, pencils and books. Teachers will calm first-day jitters. Parents will eagerly wait to hear all the details of their child’s first day back in the classroom.
And with the increased traffic that the start of school inevitably brings, drivers will try to be extra vigilant when they’re on the road.
That means when driving in neighborhoods and school zones, watch out for young people who may be distracted and not thinking about safety. Remember to slow down, and watch for children playing and congregating near school bus stops. Most importantly, be alert. As students adjust to new routines, it will be easy for them to arrive late for the school bus, and they might dart into the street without looking for traffic.
The West Virginia State Police is also reminding the general public to observe posted speed limits in school zones (15 mph) and allow more travel time in the mornings and afternoons when school traffic is at its heaviest. Troopers will randomly patrol various school zones throughout West Virginia during peak commuting hours to help ensure motorists’ compliance.
In addition, the State Police reminds drivers that they are required to stop when a school bus’ red lights are flashing as students are being picked up and dropped off.
Of course, motorists aren’t the only ones who might need a quick refresher on school bus safety. For students preparing to make that first trip from home to school — or from school to home after a busy day of learning — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a few tips to help make the journey a little safer.
When preparing to get on the bus in the morning or at the end of the school day, the agency suggests that kids wait until the driver says it is safe to board. Students then should get on one at a time.
Once on the school bus, students should be taught to go directly to their seat and sit down facing forward. And while distractions are a natural part of any commute, students should remain in their seat facing forward when the school bus is moving.
When they’re off the school bus, students should take five giant steps away from the front of the bus, cross in front of the bus when the driver indicates it is safe, stop at the edge of the bus and look left, then right, then left again for traffic. If there’s no traffic, students may safely cross the street.
Other tips? Students should ask the driver for help if they drop something while getting on or off the school bus. They should also keep loose items inside their backpack.
These all sound like simple steps, but they’re critical in ensuring children’s safety. After all, statistics from the NHTSA highlight some alarming facts, including that an average of 24 school-age children die in school transportation-related traffic crashes each year. The agency breaks those deaths down to 11 occupants of school transportation vehicles and 13 pedestrians.
That’s 24 too many. Students should never lose their life — or even be injured — just because they’re on their way to school.
So as students of all ages make the adjustment to being back in the classroom, drivers must adjust their schedules to allow for a little extra time on the road. An extra ounce of caution can go a long way in ensuring that this is a safe school year for everyone.
Opinion
A few simple steps can help ensure safety as school opens
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