JACKSON COUNTY, ALA.- August is a month that many parents and children look forward to and dread simultaneously as anxious students return to school or start for the first time. August 6, 2024, was the first day back for Jackson County and Scottsboro City Schools students. Along with the excitement of meeting new friends and teachers, students must learn new daily routines or get back in the swing of past routines to get themselves to and from school. For many children, that routine involves riding a bus. As students return to school, all of us need to remember to watch for school buses stopping and children waiting to get on or off the bus. School officials encourage us to remember that bus routes will run each morning and afternoon, as well as some midday special program routes. It is important to be mindful of this and help keep students safe as they travel to and from school. Obey the speed limit and watch for students at bus stops. Pay attention to the buses’ yellow or red flashing lights and STOP signs. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) provides bus safety guidelines. When you see a school bus slowing down or stopping, you need to keep your eyes on not just the bus but the surrounding area, too. Children wait at least several feet away from a bus and often cross the street when they’re boarding or getting off the bus. This is why you must stop for school buses and don’t attempt to pass. Illegal School Bus Passing Illegal school bus passing is not just a violation; it poses a significant threat to children and others on the road. In every state, it is illegal to pass a school bus while the stop arm is extended and the red lights are flashing. Let’s not just follow the law; let’s protect our children. Understanding School Bus Lights • Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle. • Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before you can start driving again. • If you see flashing red lights on a stopped school bus on the other side of the road, you must stop until the lights stop flashing unless the roadway is divided by a median or wall or if there are two or more lanes of traffic traveling in each direction. One last safety tip to keep in mind as students return to school is to be aware of the speed limit when entering a school zone. This is not just a suggestion; it’s a crucial safety measure. Most schools have speed limit lights that flash when the school zone speed limit is in effect. Let’s do our part to keep our children safe and make it a happy school year for everyone.
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