Northwest Iowa — The majority of students attending public schools in northwest Iowa go back to school this Tuesday, with almost all of them going back sometime this week, except for preschoolers, who, technically aren’t going BACK to school in many situations.
All those students need to get to school somehow, and every way of getting to or from school means other drivers need to pay more attention. One of the more common ways to get to and from school is on a school bus. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Kevin Krull tells us caution is required around school buses.
Krull says when the yellow lights are on, you may not pass the bus, and you need to be very cautious approaching from the front and be ready to stop. He tells us that on any standard two-lane road, no matter if you’re approaching the bus from the front or the rear, when that stop arm goes out and the red flashing lights start, it’s just like a regular stop sign. All traffic has to come to a halt.
Not stopping for the stop arm is a $250 fine, plus court costs, and you could lose your license for a while. But the main thing is you could hurt or even kill a student. And you might have no choice but to buy high-risk insurance.
Of course, some students walk or drive to school or are given a ride. Those situations too require other motorists to be alert and be careful, according to law enforcement officers. Students may not think about safety and may dart onto the street. Those who drive are many times not experienced drivers and may also make mistakes, especially if they are late for school. And if you’re in a school zone, the congestion there may also be a risk factor for accidents.
We at KIWA would like to remind everyone to slow down and think as our kids go back to school. Others may be making the mistakes, but if you anticipate those mistakes, you could help prevent the accident.
Click here for more information from the Iowa DOT about stopping for school buses.
