August has arrived in Arkansas, marking the beginning of the new school year.
Arkansas State Police (ASP) wants to remind Arkansans that school days bring heavier traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoons when school buses are picking up riders, parents are hurrying to drop off their kids before heading to work, and new drivers are hitting the roads, many for the first time in rush hour traffic.
On any given day during the school year, 350,000 children are riding school buses on Arkansas roadways.
ASP recommends the following guidelines for driving near school buses:
- Always be cautious and attentive, especially before and after school hours.
- If driving behind a school bus, maintain a greater following distance than behind a car. This will give you more time to stop when the yellow lights start flashing.
- Never pass a school bus from behind or from either direction if you are on an undivided road and the bus has stopped to load or unload children. In Arkansas, drivers can be fined up to $2,500 or face up to 90 days in jail for illegally passing a stopped school bus.
- The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. This is a critical zone where alertness can prevent accidents.
- Stop far enough back to allow school bus riders space to enter and exit the bus safely.
- Be alert, as children are often unpredictable and may take risks when crossing the road to their destination.
- Be attentive and patient with young, inexperienced drivers on the road. Remember, they are still learning and need understanding. ASP recommends that parents practice driving routes to school with new drivers to help them become familiar with traffic flow and potential dangers.
“Troopers will be diligently enforcing a strict zero-tolerance policy for any drivers who unlawfully pass a stopped school bus,” said ASP Capt. Brad Lann. “There is no destination important enough to justify passing a stopped school bus and endangering the lives of children.”
ASP also encourages commuters to leave a few minutes earlier than usual and anticipate increased traffic and potential delays during the school drop-off and pick-up times.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) IDrive app is an excellent source of information for checking for traffic delays and congested areas.
