It’s that time of year again when many parents and perhaps a few kids are happy about…BACK TO SCHOOL! Most schools in the area are beginning classes August 28 so that means there are a few things that we need to be reminded of in case we let them fade away in our minds over the summer.
There will be increased traffic on the roads and near schools especially in the morning and mid-afternoon hours corresponding to arrival and dismissal times. Please pay attention as you are driving….no phones, texting or fiddling with the radio. Traffic deaths in Berks County are more than double what they were this time last year! You can afford the extra seconds to stay alert while driving.
Watch for school buses with their red lights on and stop arms extended as they pick up or drop off children. The drivers may still be getting accustomed to their route and may stop or start suddenly. In addition you must be alert near stopped buses as children may suddenly dart out and around the bus as they exit. We would like to provide what the law is in Pennsylvania so you are able to avoid trouble:
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Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
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Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.
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Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.
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If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
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Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.
Let’s all use some courtesy and common sense to keep this school year a safe one for everybody so we don’t meet by accident!
