As ÁùºÏ±¦µä returns to class next week, about 22,000 students will be riding ÁùºÏ±¦µä buses each day to and from school. There are numerous safety tips below to ensure the community is helping keep students safe during their travels.
Who: Interviews available with ÁùºÏ±¦µä Police Department Interim Chief Chris Evoy and ÁùºÏ±¦µä Executive Director of Transportation Kris Hafezizadeh
When: 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14
Where: Southeast Bus Terminal, 7200 Bluff Springs Road
ÁùºÏ±¦µä safety measures for drivers:
- Reduce speed when driving near schools and follow posted signs that require drivers to slow down to 20 miles per hour or less when lights are flashing. Failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or stop when school bus lights are flashing and speeding through school zones when lights are flashing could result in a fine.
- Put down that cell phone and any other electronic device. In addition to the City's hands-free ordinance banning handheld electronic devices while driving, Texas also prohibits cell phones in school zones. Drivers are encouraged to put down all distractions and be extra cautious in school zones.
The district's transportation team would like to reinforce several safety tips for students:
- Always remain in direct eyesight of the bus driver.
- Arrive at the bus stop in plenty of time, at least five minutes prior to the scheduled time.
- Take 10 giant steps back from the curb while waiting for the bus and 10 steps away from the curb when exiting the bus.
- Never try to re-board the bus without the driver's permission to retrieve an item after exiting.
- Never reach underneath the bus.
- Always follow the driver's directions for how to cross the street.
- Be alert to traffic and look both ways.
- Always cross in front of the bus, but only when the bus driver signals it is safe.
- Walking and biking to school can be a great option, but students are encouraged to wear bright colors when doing so. Bright colors help drivers see students, but go the extra mile and wave to drivers before crossing the road to ensure they see you.
