FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Most students get back and forth from school on the big yellow bus. Local leaders say we all have to work together to make sure the road is safe.
According to the National Safety Council, school bus-related crashes killed 104 people nationwide in 2022. Indiana State Police sergeant Matt Ames says there are rules for motorists to follow, and bus drivers are working hard to alert other motorists.
“Once the yellow lights come on, that means they are getting ready to stop,” Ames said. “That means you need to be slowing down when the red lights come on and especially when the stop arm is out, that means it’s time to stop. When the bus driver feels it’s ready to go again, the red lights will come off, the stop arms will come in, and then traffic can proceed as normal.
There are other traffic variables that come into play with buses. Indiana Red Cross spokeswoman Janie Bohlmann says that includes stopping at railroads.
“So it’s also important that you are mindful of where you are,” Bohlmann said. “Maybe you know there is a railroad coming up, so if you are behind a school bus or near it, you know that those things are going to be happening as well. With school starting back up, there’s a lot more traffic on the roads, maybe more distracted drivers out there, so it’s important to pay attention to this.”
To ensure the roads are safe as they can be, ISP along with local law enforcement will have extra patrols out enforcing these stop-arm rules.
It takes a team effort from the local community to keep the roads safe, but these tips will help that happen.
