Ad sales and reader education opportunity: School bus safety The Arkansas Department of Education and Arkansas Association of Pupil Transportation are proud to launch the sixth annual “Flashing Red. Kids Ahead.� school bus safety campaign.
Ed Coates of the Stone County Leader in Mountain View shares his approach to increasing awareness of the campaign while at the same time generating revenue via ad sponsorships. “I contacted Jerry Owens and Kimberly STONE COUNTY LEADER - Wednesday, August 16, 2017 Page 8 A
Friedman at the Department of Education for the results of the School Bus Illegal Passing Survey from this past April,� said Coates. During the one-day survey on April 24, 2018, there were 857 instances of illegal passing reported.
year.�
“We generated content based on that plus the information and resources available at the Arkansas Department of Education website. In 2017, we had a two-page spread, and expect the same again this
“I would like for the newspapers of Arkansas to make a statewide effort to raise awareness on this subject,� said Coates.
FLASHING RED Follow these simple tips to get to and from school safely.
at the bus stop
Sponsored By
(870) 269-3211
mountainviewgm.com
• Walk – don’t run – to the bus stop on the ssidewalk. If there is no ssidewalk, walk on the lleft shoulder facing ttraffic. • Arrive at the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. • At the bus stop, wait in a safe area away from the road, and avoid playing or running. • Stand at least three giant steps back from the curb when you see the bus arriving. • Wait for the stop sign to be extended and the door to open before approaching the bus.
Know The
Rules
Know The
Sponsored by
Law
Dr. Andy’s Family Practice 870-269-7777 1809 Ozarka College Dr. Mountain View, AR
AR
KANSAS
FLASHING RED KIDS AHEAD
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY CAMPAIGN A U G U S T 7 th - 2 5 th 10 School Bus Safety Tips for Kids
1. Get to the bus stop early, and wait in a safe place at least five giant steps away from the edge of the road. 2. Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it’s okay before you approach the bus. 3. Enter the bus single file, and be sure to hold the handrail. 4. Walk straight to your seat, and sit with your legs facing forward. 5. Speak quietly, so you don’t distract the bus driver. 6. Keep the bus aisles clear, and keep your arms and head inside the bus. 7. Raise your hand if you need to get the busdriver’s attention. 8. Look left, right and left again before exiting the bus or crossing the street. 9. Always cross the street at least 10 feet in front of the bus. Never cross behind the bus. 10. If you drop something near or under the bus, tell the driver. Never try to pick it up yourself.
Sponsored by
(870) 269-8200 315 Sylamore Ave. Mountain View, AR
FLASHING RED KIDS AHEAD Parents, be sure to review these important bus safety tips with young riders and drivers to keep kids safe this school year. 5 School Bus Safety Tips for Motorists
1. Know that yellow ashing lights signal a school bus is preparing to stop. Red flashing lights and a stop sign indicate the bus is stopped, and children are entering or exiting. 2. Never pass a school bus that is stopping or stopped to load or unload children. It is unsafe and illegal. 3. Stop your vehicle a safe distance of at least 10 feet from a stopped school bus. 4. Once the ashing red lights and stop sign have been turned o by the bus driver, proceed slowly and with caution, looking both ways for children who may still be close to the road. 5. While driving, never pass a school bus on the right. It is dangerous and against the law.
Sponsored by
121 E. Main St. , Mtn. View 870-269-3815 MY100BANK.COM
STONE COUNTY LEADER - Wednesday, August 16, 2017 Page 9 A
KIDS AHEAD #2017FlashingRed
As students return to school, motorists will once again share the roadways with school buses. While school bus safety is a priority throughout the school year, a three-week public awareness campaign is underway to remind students, parents and the community about the importance of school bus safety. Flashing Red. Kids Ahead. is the theme for the campaign, which began Aug. 7 and ends Aug. 25. Schools and safety advocates throughout the Natural State will remind Arkansas motorists to obey all traffic laws whenever they are near a school bus. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus whenever its red lights are flashing, as students are getting on or off the bus. “This effort reminds motorists they play an important role in keeping our students safe,� said Mountain View Supt. Rowdy Ross. “With schools beginning a new year, we want to ask all motorists to exercise care and patience whenever they are near or around a school bus.�
WEST 66 & FOODMART
Gammill Oil
2000
FLASHING RED KIDS AHEAD
take while going to and from the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding the bus,� Ross said. “It also gives us a chance to thank and honor the professional school bus drivers who devote themselves to transporting our most precious cargo.� In Arkansas, approximately 7,130 school buses transport around 350,000 students to and from school and school-related activities each school day. In Mountain View School District, about 30 bus routes are required to transport children in Stone County each school day.
USING MOBILE PHONES WHILE DRIVING IN SCHOOL ZONES IS ILLEGAL
•
 Â? Â? Â? Â? Â
•
€ ‡ ƒ Â? Â? ˆ •
 � € ‚
•
 � � � ƒ „… † �  ‡ �
•
ˆ Â? …‰ Â
•
 � � � �
Did you know? „… … †
 Â? Â? Â?Â?  ÂÂ?
STATEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT At Mountain View School District, safety is our top priority. Transportation is a huge part of what we do. School bus safety is essential to creating a safe environment for our students. We have excellent drivers and they go through training sessions every year. We need the help of the communities and patrons to assure that our students are safe on the roads. We ask that everyone observes the traffic laws and watch out for our students as you are traveling. We ask that you help us to create a safe environment as our students travel to and back home from school. Rowdy Ross, Superintendent Mountain View School District
Know the Rules.
• Means kids are getting on or off the bus. • WARNING: It is illegal to pass a bus from any direction when the red lights are flashing. Doing it can cost you up to $1,000 if you’re ticketed. • Stop your vehicle at least 15 feet from the bus. • Remain stopped until the flashing red lights end and the stop arm goes in. • Under all circumstances, LOOK OUT FOR KIDS!
Spondered By: Stone County Sheriff Lance Bonds
STOP It’s The Law!
SECTION 5. Arkansas Code § 27-51-1004 is amended to read as follows: 27-51-1004. Passing when stopped prohibited.
(a) When a school bus vehicle stops and displays its flashing alternating red warning lights for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers, every operator of a motor vehicle or motorcycle approaching it meeting or overtaking the school bus from any direction shall bring the motor vehicle or motorcycle to a full complete stop before reaching the school bus proceeding in any direction.
Sponsored By
Â? Â
ARKANSAS SCHOOL BUS SAFETY CAMPAIGN AUG. �th - ��th
Sponsored By
MOUNTAIN VIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT
FLASHING RED KIDS AHEAD
Before a bus can be used for any purpose, the driver must perform a pre-trip inspection. This inspection checks more than 20 points on the bus, even requiring the driver to check under the hood. Many buses are checked multiple times a day.
 �  � �
AUGUST 7 - 25
ARKANSAS SCHOOL BUS SAFETY CAMPAIGN AUG. 7th - 25th
During the 2017-18 school year, there will be 350,000 students riding approximately 7,130 buses.
•
SAFETY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN th th Sponsored By
Stone County Judge’s Office (870) 269-3351 107 West Main St. County Judge Stacey Avey Mountain View, AR
It is illegal to turn left or right in front or behind a bus while its lights are flashing red.
€ ‚ ƒ •
STOP
FLASHING RED KIDS AHEAD Follow the these ese important rules on the school bus for your safety and the safety of your fellow passengers.
The Arkansas Department of Education and Arkansas Association of Pupil Transportation are proud to launch the Flashing Red. Kids Ahead. school bus safety campaign. The threeweek campaign, which is in its fifth year, is from August 7 to August 25; however, school bus safety is a priority year-round. The fines, penalties and punishment for anyone found guilty of illegally passing a stopped school bus were increased dramatically by Act 2128 of 2005, also known as Isaac’s Law. The legislation passed by the Arkansas General Assembly was named for Isaac Brian, an elementary school student in the Bryant School District who was struck and killed when a driver illegally passed his school bus while students were getting off the bus. “This campaign also serves as an excellent time to teach and reiterate to students and parents simple measures they can
ARKANSAS School Bus Safety Campaign Aug. g 7th-25th
• Arrive at your bus stop at least five minutes early. Running to catch the bus is very dangerous. • Stand at least three giant steps away from the curb when you see the bus approaching your bus stop. • Stay put until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver tells you it’s okay to enter the bus. • Always use the handrails when entering Sponsored by and exiting the bus. • Never walk behind the bus. If you must cross the street, cross in front of the bus. Walk on the sidewalk alongside the bus at least five giant steps before crossing in front of it, making sure you and the driver can see one another. • Stay seated and wear your seatbelt the entire time the bus is moving. Avoid yelling or loud talking that could distract the driver. Hwy 66 West • 870-269-
School bus safety campaign geared to raise awareness
Arkansas School Bus Safety Campaign FLASHING RED - KIDS AHEAD
While students at public schools return to class on Monday, August 13, the 2018 school bus safety campaign has been expanded to include the entire month of August.Â
KEEP KIDS SAFE.
Knowing motorists school bus safety rules is not only smart; it’s the law! Yellow Flashing Lights signal that the bus is getting ready to stop and load or unload children. This means you should slow down and prepare to stop. Red Flashing Lights & Extended Stop Arms signal that the bus has stopped, and children will be entering or exiting the bus. This means you should stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn and the bus resumes moving.
ARKANSAS SCHOOL BUS SAFETY CAMPAIGN Sponsored by AUG. 7thth-25thth 1502 East Main Street Mountain View
870-269-3889
Requirements for school bus drivers in Arkansas include: • Arkansas State Police background check • DHS Child Maltreatment check • CDL driving test/license • 24-hours of training before getting behind the wheel
STOP!
And And An
FLASHING RED KIDS AHEAD
• fees totaling about $100 • physical exam at least every two years • driver’s license checks twice a year • three hours of annual district training • random drug tests.
BUS
Follow these simple tips to get to and from school safely.
Safety Stats Did you know? • School buses are designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in avoiding crashes and preventing injury. • School buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children back and forth to school. • School buses keep an annual estimated 17.3 million cars off roads surrounding schools each morning. Source: Nat. Highway Traffic Safety Administration
for exiting the bus
Sponsored By
North Arkansas Farm Supply
1006 W. Main St. (870) 269-3356
• Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat. • Always cross the sstreet in front of the bus, bbeing sure to walk at least five giant steps in front of the bus, so the driver can see you. • Wait for all traffic to stop and for the bus driver to signal that it is safe before crossing the street. Look left, right and left again before crossing the street. • Stay away from the bus wheels at all times, and never cross behind the bus.
Arkansas School Bus Safety Campaign Aug. 7th - 25th KNOW THE LAW Yellow Flashing Lights signal that the bus is getting ready to stop and load or unload children. This means you should slow down and prepare to stop. Red Flashing Lights & Extended Stop Arms signal that the bus has stopped, and children will be entering or exiting the bus. This means you should stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn and the bus resumes moving.
The Stone County Leader’s 2017 school bus safety educational pages and ad sponsorships serve as an example for other newspapers statewide.
Arkansas Publisher Weekly
4
July 12, 2018