Schools
Columbia Police: Remember School Zone Safety Tips as Students Return to School
Law enforcement agencies and Richland 1 are teaming up to remind motorists to obey traffic laws in school zones.
As the start of a new school year approaches, local and state law enforcement agencies are reminding drivers to watch out for children and follow the school zone traffic rules.
Interim Columbia Police Chief Ruben Santiago, members of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and Richland School District 1 discussed school zone safety Thursday morning at Alcorn Middle School.
The group also demonstrated what drivers should do when around school buses so children can get on and off the bus safely.
"As you approach these school zones in the morning and the afternoon, the speed limit will change, the fines will be enhanced and there will be zero tolerance for anyone that's breaking the law," said S.C. Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Glen Levine.
Levine said motorists need to obey the 25 mile per hour speed limit in and around school zones.
Last year, there were 62 people who were struck by vehicles in the city of Columbia, Santiago said. Two of those incidents involved students, with one resulting in death.
Santiago said his department, highway patrol troopers and district officials are working together to remind drivers to use caution when approaching schools so accidents like the one that resulted in the death of a then 7-year-old Watkins-Nance Elementary School student doesn't happen again.
"We want them (students) to have long, successful and productive lives," said Richland 1 Superintendent Dr. Percy Mack. "Please drive safely not only in school zones but throughout the community."
Here's a few school zone safety tips from the S.C. Department of Public Safety for motorists, parents and students:
Getting On and Off the Bus Safely
- Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Running to catch the bus is dangerous and can lead to injuries.
- When the bus approaches, stand at least five giant steps (10 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
- Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
- If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the road to a point at least five giant steps ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you and you can see the bus driver when crossing the street. Stop at the edge of the bus and look left-right-left before crossing.
Riding Safely
Students also need to behave safely during the school bus ride. Basic safety rules include the following:
- Always sit fully in the seat and face forward
- Never distract the driver
- Never stand on a moving bus
- Obey the driver
- Speak in a low voice, no screaming or shouting
- Never stick anything out the window (arms, legs, head, book bags, etc.)
- Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
- Red flashing lights and extended stop arm indicate that the bus has stopped and that children are getting on or off.
- Motorist on any highway that has only two-travel lanes, one in each direction, must stop for the bus whether approaching from the front or overtaking from the rear and remain stopped until the lights are no longer activated or the bus resumes motion.
- Motorist traveling on multi-lane roadways, which have at least two lanes of travel in each direction, must stop for the bus if overtaking the bus from the rear and remain stopped until the lights are no longer activated or the bus resumes motion, however motorist approaching a bus from the front, on this type multi-lane roadway need not stop but proceed with caution.
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