Indy Standard

With kids back to school, Indiana roads are once again occupied by buses carrying thousands of Hoosier students, which means all drivers on the road should be extra cautious. While these buses can slow the flow of traffic, following commonsense driver safety tips can ensure you and our students arrive home safely.

To start, anytime a school bus has its stop arm out and red lights flashing, that is a signal to all drivers that they must stop. This applies on two-lane roadways and multilane roads where there is no barrier in between.

If there is a barrier or grassy median in the middle of a multilane road, drivers approaching the school bus can still drive, while any cars behind the school bus must come to a complete stop.

While these stops can add a few extra minutes to a morning or afternoon commute, our students are worth the wait.

Not only is school bus safety a necessary precautionary measure, but passing a school bus while the stop arm is extended can also lead to legal penalties. A driver who passes a school bus while the stop arm is extended commits a class A misdemeanor, which can result in up to one year in jail with a maximum fine of $5,000.

Safety is not just for motorists. School children should also be aware of different safety tips like leaving the house on time, waiting with other children at a bus stop and staying at least 6 feet – or three giant steps – from the road while waiting for the bus. The Indiana State Police has more student safety tips at visit in.gov/isp/driving-safety.

"Whether heading to work in the morning or getting back home after a long day," I ask all Hoosiers to stay cautious on the road during this school year. By taking your time when driving and staying aware of your surroundings, you can help our community make sure our children get home safely.

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