Southingtin Police Post School Bus Reminders

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington police on Wednesday sent out traffic and bus reminders as children head back to school Thursday and start boarding and getting off school buses.

Here is an overview:

• Vehicles must stop at least 10 feet from school buses that have flashing red signal lights activated and to remain stopped while the red lights are flashing, unless otherwise directed by a traffic officer. It applies to drivers traveling in both the same and opposite direction as the school bus.
• At intersections, motorists are prohibited from turning toward a bus that has its red lights flashing.
• The penalty for passing a school bus while children are getting on or off is $465.
• Students going to and from bus stops should walk, not run, and use sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, students should walk on the left facing traffic.
• Students should arrive at bus stops at least five minutes early.
• While at a bus stop, students should remain a safe distance from the road and they should not run around and play while waiting for the bus.
• Students should never talk to strangers while at a bus stop and never accept a ride from a stranger while at a bus stop. If a stranger approaches, students should report it to a parent or teacher immediately.
• Students should wait for red flashing lights and an extended stop sign and look both ways before crossing a street to board a bus.
• Students should cross only when all traffic has stopped.
• Students should only get off the bus at his or her designated stop and then go straight home so an adult knows where they are.
• Students dropping items near a bus should tell the driver before picking them up.

Southington police will be conducting directed patrols early in the school year "with the goal of educating and deterring motorist from passing school buses that are loading and unloading children."

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

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