BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY

By Connie Hogue, Vice President of Human Resources & Safety

Slow Down

As summer draws to a close and families begin preparing for the back-to-school season, it is an ideal time for everyone to renew their focus on safety. With children returning to classrooms, the daily routines of walking, biking, or riding the bus to school resume—bringing increased activity and traffic around neighborhoods and school zones.

School zones are designed to protect students during their morning and afternoon commutes. These areas have reduced speed limits during specific hours, and drivers are legally required to obey those signs. Follow these tips for navigating school zones safely:

• Reduce your speed to 20 miles per hour and prepare to stop for pedestrians crossing.

• Be patient — children may move slowly or unpredictably.

• Never pass another vehicle in a school zone.

• Watch for crossing guards and obey their signals.

Drivers must avoid all distractions while operating a vehicle. The use of a mobile phone or texting while driving is prohibited by law and poses a serious risk to the safety of the driver, passenger and all others on the road.

Understanding School Bus Laws

One of the most critical elements of back-to-school safety is understanding and following school bus laws. Tragically, most school bus-related injuries and fatalities happen outside the bus. So, when must you stop for a school bus?

• Two-lane roads: All vehicles traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. In Ohio, vehicles need to remain stopped until the bus continues its course or when the bus driver waves them on.

• Four or more lane roads: Only the traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop.

• Divided highways with a median: Should be treated like the road with four or more lanes. Only the traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop.

It is illegal and extremely dangerous to pass a stopped school bus on either side. Children may be crossing the road unexpectedly, and visibility may be limited.

Important Reminders:

• Stop at least 10 feet away from the bus.

• Remain stopped until the stop arm is withdrawn and the lights stop flashing.

• Never try to “beat” a bus or squeeze past it on the shoulder.

Penalties Are Serious

Ohio House Bill 3, if passed in the Senate, will enact strict penalties for the School Bus Safety Act. The current law in Ohio for failure to stop for a school bus can carry hefty consequences, including:

• Fines up to five hundred dollars

• License suspension up to one year

• Two points on your driver’s license with a mandatory court appearance

• Significant effects on your auto insurance premium

Most importantly, violating school zone laws puts children’s lives at serious risk. A few extra seconds of patience can prevent a tragedy.

Safety Tips For Parents And Students

There are many ways parents can prepare their students to return to school.

• Walking the route to the bus stop or school with younger children.

• Teaching kids to stand far from the road while waiting for the bus.

• Reminding them to always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see them.

Students should be prepared and vigilant at all times.

• Stay alert and avoid distractions like phones or earbuds when crossing streets.

• Use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible.

• Look both ways before crossing and follow the bus driver’s signals.

As a community, we all share responsibility for keeping our children safe. Let us start the school year off right by driving carefully, staying alert and following the law. Together, we can protect who and what matters most.