PennDOT, Highway Safety Network Celebrate “Love the Bus” at Clearfield Elementary School

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation(PennDOT) and the Highways Safety Network (HSN) celebrated “Love the Bus,” a program highlighting the importance of school bus drivers in education, at Clearfield Elementary School on Thursday.

“This is one of many programs organized by PennDOT throughout the state to promote traffic safety,” said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Steve Harmic. “We often stress that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we educate other drivers on what they need to do when they approach a school bus during their morning commute. With this program, we stress to the children the things they can do to keep themselves safe while on the bus, and while getting on and off the bus, and remind them to appreciate their bus drivers for the service they provide.”  

During the program, first-grade students at the elementary school received valentines to give their bus drivers to thank them for transporting them safely every day. Harmic and Josh Woods, a community traffic safety programs coordinator for HSN gave the students tips for staying safe while on or near a bus, including:

·         Get to the school bus stop five minutes early so you won’t have to run across the road to catch the bus.

·         When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and line up at least five giant steps away from the curb.

·         Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.

·         Never push when getting on or off the school bus.

·         Always walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so that the school bus driver can see you.

·         When the school bus is moving, always stay in your seat. Never put your head, arms, or hands out the window.

·         Never play with the emergency exits. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

·         Never cross the street behind the school bus.

Harmic and Woods also reminded motorists the School Bus Stopping Law requires they stop at least 10 feet away from buses with their red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Motorists meeting or overtaking a stopped bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped must stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. If a physical barrier such as a grassy median, guide rail, or concrete median separates oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.

For more information on school bus safety, visit http://www.penndot.pa.gov/safety