BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — With students returning to classrooms across Bakersfield this week, school bus drivers are urging everyone on the road to slow down, pay attention and stop when a bus stops — a decision they say could save a child’s life.
Transportation Director Neftali Perez of the Panama-Buena Vista School District said the biggest threat to student safety isn’t inside the bus, but every driver on the road.
“It is the law. All the motorway public must stop when they see a school bus display flashing red lights,” Perez said.
Perez said drivers often miss or ignore a bus’s warning lights, and that some motorists speed up when they should be slowing down.
“The amber lights come on about 200 feet before the stop arm comes out. That means slow down and prepare to stop,” Perez said.
The district’s buses include safety features such as emergency exits and onboard cameras.
Perez said students and drivers practice emergency drills at the start of the school year.
“Students actually practice bus evacuations at the beginning of the school year,” Perez said.
California has required seat belts on school buses since 2005.
Perez also said drivers are required to check their buses after every route to make sure no child is left behind, and that the procedure is reviewed during annual training.
“Be aware of the precious cargo that you’re carrying. They are somebody else’s students, yes, but they’re precious cargo. Don’t forget about your students. Check that bus. It doesn’t take but a few minutes to walk to the back of the bus and back to the front to check for missing students,” Perez said.
Officials also reminded parents to have children at the bus stop at least five minutes early to help avoid traffic congestion around school loading zones and to prevent children from running toward the bus, which could cause them to fall. Parents are also being asked to pay close attention to the route number listed on the bus to make sure their child is getting on the correct bus.