As students across the area head back to school, safety should be a top priority for families, schools, and law enforcement. Whether children are walking, biking, or riding the bus, Custer County Sheriff Dan Osmond is reminding everyone to take extra precautions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasizes that school buses are the safest way for children to get to and from school, but that most injuries involving school buses happen outside the bus. Drivers need to stop when buses display flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, since children may be crossing from either side of the road.
Sheriff Osmond said that going past a school bus and using the excuse that the stop sign wasn’t out yet is not safe.
“If the school bus is slowing down, the flashing lights are on, you can’t go around it,” said Osmond. “You know, that bus is getting ready to make a stop, it’s getting ready to load kids on or off. So just have some patience and wait. That 30 seconds isn’t going to hurt anything, and the safety of the kids is what matters.”
He added that communication is key when it comes to bus riders, as timely drop off and pick-up are another safety concern.
“If your children are riding the school bus, they need to know where to get on the school bus, when to get off the school bus and stuff like that. You know, the times to be there, the times when you’re going to be there to pick them up,” Osmond said.
As pedestrians, it’s important to remind children to use sidewalks whenever possible and that if there isn’t a sidewalk to walk on the edge of the street facing traffic. Whenever they are available, use marked crosswalks to cross the street after looking both directions for vehicles. The NHTSA recommends parents review safe walking and biking routes with their children.
Helmets on bikes are also a critical item to remember.
“Then even if it’s something that’s not your fault, you’re doing everything right on your bike and then someone else hits you, it’s just going to protect you in that accident,” said Osmond.
Sheriff Osmond also reminded motorists that slowing down in school areas gives drivers more time to react to children who may not always pay close attention.
Listen to our full conversation with Sheriff Osmond here:
