Take Note Of Lights As School Buses Get Back On The Road

As school goes back in session this week, motorists must be aware of school buses transporting students.

Putnam Schools Transportation Supervisor Ron Chaffin said the best practice for sharing the road with buses is to take note of the lights on the bus.

“Those yellow and red flashing lights on the front and on the back of the bus, they’re always at the top, and also the sign on the side with the red flashing lights,” Chaffin said. “Whenever those are engaged, that means a driver is letting off and discharging students from that bus.”

Chaffin said that if there is no median as a school bus is stopping, drivers must come to a stop in both directions. He said that if there is a median, only drivers in the flow of traffic with the bus must stop.

When it comes to bus stops themselves, Chaffin said parents should keep an eye on students and remind them to stay on the sidewalk. He said this is particularly important for new bus riders and younger kids.

“The rule of thumb that we teach all of our students to do is to stay 10 feet away from all four sides of the bus, that’s the safe zone,” Chaffin said. “Anything further than 10 feet is the danger zone. So we would like to encourage them to stay 10 feet away from the bus all the way around.”

Chaffin said that for a day filled with excitement and jitters, Monday’s first day of school went smoothly. He said they look forward to a good school year.