Keep safety in mind as school buses return to York Region roads

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 29, 2016
By Teresa Latchford

In September, the wheels on the bus will go round and round.

When the bell rings and students head back to class next week, it means the return of yellow buses to local streets. The Canada Safety Council is reminding drivers to be cautions and alert as the buses return to the roads.

“Despite it being an annual occurrence, the return of school buses often bring about episodes of impatience, confusion regarding some of the rules of the road and a spike in fatalities and injuries among young pedestrians from September to November,” according to a statement released by the council.

The council is asking drivers to help keep the roads safe for everyone with the following tips.

• Leave early to avoid rushing and disobeying the rules of the road.

• Stop when a bus has its arm extended and lights flashing. Do not proceed until the lights are turned off.

• Slow down in school zones and keep an eye out for children.

• Avoid three-point turns and U-turns in school zones.

• Obey crossing guards and signage.

• For parents driving their children to school, let them out on the opposite side of traffic and consider dropping them off a block away to avoid congestion the bus has to maneuver through.

For more tips or information, visit canadasafetycouncil.org.