SCHOOL BUS SAFETY; DISTRICTS STRESS RIDING RULES TO STUDENTS

Narrow roads, blind spots and bad weather cause most school bus accidents. A few safety practices can prevent accidents from those and other causes.

Nationwide, in 1995, 32 children were killed in school bus accidents. None occurred in Southeast Missouri.

"Whether it is the luck of the Irish or the will of God, we'd like to keep it that way," said Richard Hoffman, superintendent of Altenburg School District.

His eastern Perry County district has not had any serious accidents in the past 16 years. The most frequent problems are getting caught in a ditch or stranded on the side of a county road, Hoffman said.

Most area school districts share the same good luck.

Wet pavement was a factor in the only fatal school bus accident reported in Missouri last year. That involved a pedestrian.

Another 922 people were injured in school bus crashes across the state.

No serious accidents have been reported locally since 1989, when two bus accidents occurred within a month. All involved elementary-age children.

The most frequent bus riders are elementary students since high school students often drive their own cars to school and get there other ways. School principals, therefore, try to teach younger students bus-riding rules.

Since some students just returned to school Wednesday, learning the rules was a priority.

"We have rules in the student handbook and emphasize them and go over them thoroughly and specifically," said Carol Blanton, principal at Scott City Elementary School. Most of the district's students ride a bus to school.

Most safety problems can easily be prevented by following some simple rules:

-- Don't distract the driver with any shouting or throwing of objects.

-- Cross the street at least 10 feet in front of the bus.

-- Wait until the bus stops before exiting and always cross in front of the driver.

If there is a safety or discipline problem on a school bus, Scott City drivers can radio the school for help.

"There's a base station at the office so that I can respond within seconds," Blanton said.

Keeping students safe is a top priority for Jean Kurre, transportation director for the Jackson School District.

"Basically, they are pretty well-behaved," she said. "Sometimes you have some that will try things out."

To curb some discipline problems, 18 of the district's 47 route buses are equipped with video cameras. All have camera boxes so that the equipment can be interchanged if a driver is having problems.

Newer bus models even have strobe lights on the signal arms and escape hatches on the roof as extra safety measures. "At first they were expensive but now it comes as standard equipment," Kurre said.

Many of the bus drivers also use cellular phones to keep in touch with the school district while they are on a route. The Jackson buses travel more than 550 square miles to transport students back and forth to schools.

"The parents feel better. If the bus stops for some reason, they know that they can call and I'll tell them exactly what's going on," Kurre said.

Safety reminders...

for motorists:

-- When in school zones, watch for reduced speed limit signs that become effective when classes are in session.

-- Remember the law about stopping before passing or over-taking a school bus stopped to pickup or discharge children.

-- Watch for youngsters riding bicycles. They may appear suddenly from a blind spot.

-- If you are a parent, help your child map out the safest way to school. Remember that traffic hazards near schools multiply when children are dropped off and picked up in family cars.

-- Remember that school traffic controls such as stop signs, traffic signals, and adult crossing guards and Safety Patrols are now operating. Summer driving habits must change to look for these special patrols.

-- Anticipate the actions of youngsters and be ready for anything by reducing speeds in areas where children are present.

Source: AAA Auto Club of Missouri

for students:

-- Arrive at the bust stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives.

-- Stay out of the street and avoid horseplay.

-- Always wait for parents on the same side of the street as the school bus loading/unloading zone.

-- Cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.

-- When riding the bus, remain seated and keep the aisles clear. Don't throw objects or shout to distract the driver.

-- Walk in a single file line to the bus and wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting. Only exit from the front of the bus.

-- If you walk to school, choose the most direct route with the fewest street crossings. Obey all traffic signs. Don't enter the street from between parked cars or behind bushes. Always cross streets at a corner or crosswalk.

--If students ride bicycles to school, helmets should be worn. Cyclists should follow the rules of the road and plan a safe cycling route to the school.

Source: Cape Girardeau Area Safe Kids Coalition