Schools across Hamilton County are resuming this week or in the near future, so please be aware that students are out and about. School speed zones are in effect and are monitored, so watch for the signs and follow the limits.
School parents, be aware of signs around schools and think about the example you set for your children by following the law.
Under Indiana law (IC 9-21-5-6(f)), cities and towns set school speed zones, so each location may be different in terms of hours, speeds or signage. Questions and concerns about speed limits should be addressed with the county or city highway department where the zone is located.
Buses are running as well, and a common question is, “Do I have to stop for the bus?” State law requires motorists to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children. Watch for school buses with the stop arm extended and red lights flashing – which means STOP, not proceed with caution.
This law applies to all roadways except those that are divided by a physical barrier or an unimproved median. On a divided roadway, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop.
Extra awareness is also required in rural areas where distracted or impatient drivers often ignore school buses when children are getting on or off the bus. Disregarding a school bus stop signal is serious, and you can receive a traffic ticket for doing so. State legislators recently increased the penalties for bus stop arm violations.
School bus safety tips for kids
- Have children put everything they carry into a backpack or school bag so that they won’t drop things along the way.
- Attach a piece of high visibility fluorescent or reflective material to their clothing or backpack.
- Make sure children leave home on time so that they can walk to the bus stop and arrive before the bus is due. Running can be dangerous.
- Go to the bus stop with a young child and have older children walk in groups. There’s safety in numbers because groups are easier for drivers to see.
- If a child must walk in the street, walk single file, face traffic and stay as close to the edge of the road as possible.
- Don’t let children play running games or push or shove at the bus stop.
- Make sure children stand at least 6 feet (three giant steps) from the road while waiting for the bus.
- If children must cross the street to the bus, remind them to wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
- Tell your child if they drop something near the bus they should never pick it up, instead, they should tell the bus driver and follow the driver’s directions. Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus; other drivers in a hurry sometimes try to sneak by buses on the right.
- Teach your children to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the bus as they are exiting.
Have a safe and happy school year, Hamilton County.