As school starts, a lesson for drivers: Beware of buses

Mac Dashney is executive director of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, representing 800 public and private school bus fleets.

Over the next few weeks, Michigan motorists will see 15,000 more vehicles in their neighborhoods and on their streets and highways. These will not be new electric vehicles or self-driving automobiles, but the traditional black and yellow school bus, transporting 690,000 children to and from schools all over Michigan, for the next 180 school days.

The biggest safety risk to schoolchildren is not riding in a school bus but as pedestrians walking to, boarding and walking away from their school buses. A 2006 Michigan State Police study found that one in eight car-school bus crashes happened at school bus stops while children were getting on or off. A 2016 survey taken by the National Directors of State Pupil Transportation indicated Michigan motorists illegally pass stopped school buses 1,031 times per day. That is 185,580 illegal pass-bys every year.

Michigan’s 20,000 school bus drivers have a tremendous responsibility. They must manage approaching traffic at a school bus stop and keep track of children getting on or off their buses. This takes a complex set of skills. Schoolchildren do not always make appropriate or logical decisions as pedestrians. School bus drivers are trained to anticipate their actions.

Drivers have signaling devices to warn approaching motorists the bus is about to stop and require motorists to stop while they load or unload schoolchildren. Michigan has employed an overhead eight-light system on all school buses since 1990, flashing amber and red lights on the front and back of all buses. The law requires all drivers to activate them at least 200 feet before a bus stop. When the bus driver opens the bus door to allow children to enter or exit the bus, the red lights automatically activate. These lights should indicate to drivers that they are required to stop, and remain stopped, until they go off.

Sometimes schoolchildren do not have to cross the roadway to get to or from the school bus. In those situations, the driver may activate flashing lights located halfway between the bus’ bumper and roof. These can be used when children do not cross the road and there is space for motorists to go around the bus. It is still important for motorists to use extreme caution and always be prepared to stop.

Motorists approaching a school bus often are confused, frustrated and unaccustomed with school bus operation. Especially in the morning, drivers worry that a school bus makes frequent stops and will slow them down or make them late. Motorists involved in car-school bus crashes often say, they didn’t see the bus, didn’t know they were required to stop, or what the flashing lights mean.

Protecting those 690,000 schoolchildren riding school buses to and from school requires a team effort – schoolchildren, parents, drivers and motorists.

Schoolchildren should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before pick-up time. They should never cross the street to get to or from a bus until the bus driver has stopped, approaching motorists have stopped, and it is safe to do so. Parents, dress your children in bright colors or reflective fabric clothing, to aid visibility. Drivers should provide motorists with ample warning of their intent to stop and load or unload children.

Motorists, be more alert during the school year. Put your cell phones in the glove compartment. Pay attention to the distance between your vehicle and the bus ahead; if you are catching up to the bus, it is probably getting ready to stop. Watch for the bus driver’s signal. If the overhead flashing amber lights come on, the bus will stop in at least 200 feet to load or unload children. When the overhead flashing red lights come on, stop and do not pass until the lights go off.

If we all work together, we will keep our children safe and have an enjoyable school year.