By James Massara
Many locals begin the new school year this week and local law enforcement wants to be sure motorists know how to be safe around school bus operations.
Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent said motorists, whether coming from the opposite or same direction of travel of a school bus must stop their vehicles when a bus activates its flashing red lights and its side stop sign. He said when a school bus is stopped; motorists should keep their vehicles at least 10 feet from the bus.
At railroad crossings, busses must activate their yellow hazard lights but not flashing red lights. Motorists are not required to stop when buses have just hazard lights activated. Motorists must follow railroad-crossing laws at all times.
On-coming motorists are able to pass a school bus any time flashing red lights are not activated, Kent said. He said vehicles traveling the same direction as the bus may pass the bus when passing laws allow, but it is recommended they do not.
Inside city limits, Kent said crosswalks near schools should have crossing guards, and motorists should abide by the guards’ requests.
Kent said he especially wants to remind motorists that 20 miles per hour school zone speed limits will be in effect now that schools are back in session. He also suggests motorists give themselves more time to get to and from work now that the school is beginning and additional traffic and pedestrians will be in the roadways.
@JamesMassaraCCN