As Schools Open, Brick Police Issue Bus Safety Reminders

BRICK, NJ — "Be patient, be careful, and please pay attention. Let's keep our kids safe."

That's the message from Brick Township police, reminding motorists to pay attention with the new school year starting.

The start of school means school buses will be back on the roads and kids will be crossing streets and walking along them.

Need to stock up for the school year? Check it out: Back-To-School Essentials 2019: Backpacks, Laptops And Supplies

With that, here are safety reminders for motorists and for parents whose children ride school buses, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For motorists:

• 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 of getting there safely.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in 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.

It is illegal under New Jersey law to pass a school bus that is stopped and has its red flashing lights and stop arm activated.

• Motorists must stop at least 25 feet from the bus and wait until the bus driver turns off the flashing red lights to resume travel.
• Motorists in the opposite lane on a road with a physical divider may pass at 10 mph, according to state law.

In 2017, seven children were killed by vehicles improperly passing stopped school buses, according to the NHTSA.

A school bus safety brochure produced by the state Department of Transportation says 414 children have died over a 32-year span after being hit by motorists illegally passing stopped school buses.

There have been near-misses locally in the last two years. A Toms River woman was ticketed in 2017 after passing a stopped school bus on the right, nearly hitting a girl getting off a school bus in Lakewood. Residents throughout the area frequently post about drivers passing school buses that are stopped with their red lights flashing.

The penalty for illegally passing a school bus is a $100 fine, and up to 15 days in jail or up to 15 days community service, along with 5 points on your driver's license. For subsequent offenses, violators can receive a $250 fine or more and up to 15 days in jail, and 5 more points for each offense, according to state law.

Reminders for parents and children:

• Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• Show your child where to wait for the bus: at least three giant steps (6 feet) from the curb.
• Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play.
• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before approaching the bus door.
• Never walk behind a school bus.
• If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, tell him/her to walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street to a place at least five giant steps (10 feet) in front of the bus before crossing.
• Your child should also make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to make sure the driver can see him/her.
• If your child drops something near the school bus, like a ball or book, the safest thing is for your child to tell the bus driver right away. Your child should not try to pick up the item, because the driver might not be able to see him/her.

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