As school systems in Indiana get back in session, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana State Police are reminding Hoosier drivers to slow down and be more alert and aware near schools, bus stops and places where children may walk or bicycle to or from school.
Children may be especially likely to wander into streets in neighborhoods that don’t have sidewalks, the director of public information for the state’s homeland security agency John Erickson said. He stressed that children aren’t good at judging vehicle speeds and therefore may attempt to cross streets too close to oncoming vehicles.
Erickson said children listening to music from earphones may not be able to hear approaching vehicles, and also that children may become less aware of their surroundings when playing games on hand-held electronic devices.
When it comes to school buses, Indiana law is quite clear, according to Capt. Dave Bursten, chief public information officer for the State Police.
“When a bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, drivers coming from either direction must come to a full stop, and should not pass the bus until the warning lights are turned off and the stop arm is retracted.
On roadways divided by a physical barrier, only drivers heading in the same direction as a bus must stop. However, Bursten said, drivers should be alert and cautious at all times when school buses are on the road.
Bursten noted that in addition to being alert near neighborhood bus stops and in school zones, drivers also need to be cautious on more remote rural roads, where children also get on and off buses.
