School Bus Safety
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Dear Editor,
A few drivers are putting themselves and our school bus riders at risk by choosing to violate laws. School busses are required to stop at railroad crossings and yes, they accelerate slower than your car which may inconvenience you. That does not mean it is safe or legal for you to pass them across the double yellow line to get in front of them.
School busses follow the speed laws for trucks, not cars, meaning they may be going 60 mph when your limit may be 65 mph. County roads, such as the Middle and Lower Waitsburg Roads, are posted 50 mph for ALL vehicles. Rather than “having to” pass a school bus in a no-passing zone—especially when visibility is limited due to fog—perhaps consider leaving 5 minutes earlier.
And the alternating flashing red lights (with the paddle stop-sign on the driver’s side) still mean STOP from BOTH directions on most roads because students are either loading or unloading--a very critical time since they may be crossing the road, as well.
School bus drivers take the safety of their riders seriously. If that means reporting a driver violating laws and putting those children at risk they will. Too bad more drivers don’t drive as if they had such a valuable cargo on board.
Jim Davison
Waitsburg
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