School Bus Safety

Bright yellow or orange buses carrying children to school in the mornings and afternoons are common sites for motorists this time of year, but unfortunately not everyone remembers the rules of the road. While bus drivers do everything in their power to students arrive home or to school safely, it's also up to us, as Missouri drivers, to do our part, too.
"Now that schools are back in session, we have to get back into the habit of watching for the buses and the kids getting on or off them to ensure everyone gets where they are going safely," said Don Wichern, MoDOT Northwest District engineer. "We've already had several calls this year about people concerned that vehicles are not stopping to give buses and the kids the right of way they deserve - we just want to ensure everyone remembers the rules of the road when it comes to bus safety."
When approaching a stopped school bus from either direction, the driver of the approaching vehicle is required to stop before reaching the bus, if the school bus has indicated its intention to receive or discharge passengers by use of signaling devices. The vehicle driver is to remain stopped until the bus has retracted its warning signals and resumed motion or until signaled by the bus driver to proceed. On highways with divided roadways or with four or more lanes of traffic, only those vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop when the warning signals are engaged.
Drivers should also remember that school buses will activate their warning lights and come to a full stop before crossing railroad tracks. NEVER pass a parked school bus on the right, where children enter or exit.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has a "Zero Tolerance Policy" in regard to any situation that puts children at risk. Even though no law enforcement may be present at the time of the violation, tickets can be written and fines levied based upon eyewitness accounts from school officials and/or bus drivers.
MoDOT encourages everyone to drive safely and Arrive Alive. For more information about other MoDOT projects, call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/northwest and view the online Traveler Information Map. In addition, MoDOT uses Facebook at www.facebook.com/MoDOTNWDistrict and Twitter to provide update information and tips.