What To Know About Passing A Stopped School Bus In Maryland

MARYLAND — Students across Maryland will return to school after the Labor Day holiday weekend, most on Tuesday, Sept. 4. That means drivers need to remember to follow a few rules of the road that might not be the first thing that comes to mind after having the summer off, along with students in the state. And forgetting those rules — and being caught doing so — could carry stiff penalties for drivers or, even worse, cause a serious accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the greatest risk to children is approaching and leaving a school bus. Here's what you need to know — and what you should do — when you see a bus stopped with its flashing lights and extended stop-sign arm, or you are driving by a school.

Maryland State Police are reminding drivers to be on alert for school buses and not to ignore the red flashing lights when a bus is stopped. Those caught breaking the law by police can cost a driver a $570 fine and a three-point penalty on their driver’s license.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2007 to 2016, there were 281 school-age children killed in school transportation-related crashes: 58 were occupants of school transportation vehicles, 116 were occupants of other vehicles, 98 were pedestrians, eight were pedalcyclists and one was another non-occupant. Also, more school-age pedestrians were killed from 6 to 7 a.m. and from 3 to 4 p.m. than any other hour of the day, according to the NHTSA.

The Maryland Highway Safety Office shared these tips for being on the road safely with school buses:

• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking about getting there safely.
• Slow down. Watch for kids walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
• Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Learn and obey the “alternately flashing warning light” system that school bus drivers use to alert drivers:

Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.

Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop vehicles.

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Most of the children killed in bus accidents are between ages 5 and 7 and are hit in what the state agency ominously calls the "Danger Zone" around the bus, either by a passing vehicle or by the school bus itself. It's illegal for a vehicle to pass a bus with its red lights flashing.

For Students
Getting on the School Bus
• When the bus arrives, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb.
• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road until you are five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus. Then you can cross the street.
• Be sure the bus driver can see you and you can see the bus driver.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up first because the driver may not be able to see you.

Getting off the School Bus
• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk at least ten feet ahead of the bus along the side of the road until you can turn around see the driver.
• Make sure the bus driver can see you.
• Wait for a signal from the driver before beginning to cross.
• When the driver signals, walk across the road keeping an eye out for sudden traffic changes.
• Do not cross the center line of the road until the driver has signaled that it is safe for you to begin walking.
• Stay away from the wheels of the bus at all times.

RIDING A BICYCLE TO SCHOOL
For Parents
If your child is riding a bike to school, your child must always wear a bicycle helmet. Teach your child to ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic, use appropriate hand signals, respect traffic lights, and stop signs. Make sure to educate your child about the rules of the road and make them wear bright colors to increase visibility.
For Drivers
• When passing a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction, do so slowly and leave at least a distance between you and the bicycle of no less than 3 feet. Maintain this clearance until you have safely passed the bicycle.
• When your vehicle is turning left and there is a bicyclist entering the intersection from the opposite direction, you should wait for the bicyclist to pass before making the turn.
• If your vehicle is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the bicyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn. Remember to always use your turn signals.
• Watch for bicycle riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling, especially if the rider is a child.
• Take extra precautions in school zones and neighborhood areas where children and teenagers might be riding.
• Watch out for bikes coming out of driveways or from behind parked cars or other obstructions.
• Check side mirrors for bicyclists before opening the door.

WALKING TO SCHOOL
Finally, make sure your child's walk to school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection. Parents should be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.

Children should wear bright-colored clothing to make them more visible to drivers. n neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider starting a "walking school bus," in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school.

The law also requires drivers to yield (stop) for pedestrians who are in a crosswalk. Failure to obey these laws may result in a citation but may also lead to an injury which could have been prevented.

Photo via Shutterstock /MassTava; graphic from the Maryland Highway Safety Office