Pennsylvania Parents: Protect your children from a school bus accident
Parents should discuss school bus safety tips with their children as the new school year approaches.
As students and parents finish their back-to-school shopping and focus their attention on the upcoming school year, it is a good time to review school bus safety tips.
Each year, more than 30,000 school buses take to the streets in Pennsylvania, transporting children from home to school and back again. The school bus system assists parents by taking in excess of 1.5 million students to and from school every day in Pennsylvania.
While school bus drivers and other motorists are responsible for being vigilant when children are present, parents can discuss some safety tips to ensure their children’s wellbeing this school year.
For instance, it is a good idea for children to arrive at the bus stop about five minutes before the scheduled pick up time. While getting out the door in the morning can be hectic, allowing extra time will prevent children from darting out into the road as they run to catch the bus.
In addition, children should be instructed to wait for the bus away from the road. Parents can tell their children to take five big steps back from the curb of the road, to ensure they are in a safe area while they wait for the bus to arrive.
Finally, it is a good idea to tell your children about the dangers of roughhousing when waiting for the school bus. Even the simple act of throwing or kicking another child’s backpack into the street could have devastating consequences if he or she tries to retrieve it while a car is approaching.
Other motorists should be cautious around school buses
According to Health Day News, approximately 140 people have killed in school bus accidents annually across the country. Motorists in Pennsylvania should be aware of the law when it comes to school buses and act carefully when driving near a bus.
In Pennsylvania, when a school bus is stopped and its red signal lights are flashing, other motorists are required to stop, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles. In such cases, other drivers are required to leave at least 10 feet between their car and the stopped school bus. Motorists are not allowed to continue on their way until the red flashing lights are turned off and all children are safely out of the road.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a school bus accident, you need the advice of a skilled legal professional to ensure you evaluate your options to recover damages. In such cases, you should take the time to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney, who will work on your behalf to seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Keywords: Pennsylvania, school bus, accidents
