Tens of thousands of students are returning to school this week, which means an increase in school buses, student drivers and students walking to and from school.
Over two thousand drivers ignored a school bus stop arm in one day statewide in 2023, according to the Indiana Department of Education.
The Indiana State Police (ISP) Jasper Post urges drivers to always stop for school buses picking up and dropping off children.
They also want to remind drivers to be patient when driving behind a school bus.
Over 3000 stop arm violation citations were issued statewide in 2023, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
The ISP will have “zero tolerance” for those that speed in a school zone or for those that don’t stop when a school bus has its stop arm out. It’s illegal to not stop for a school bus stop arm statewide, with tickets and fines up to $10,000 possible.
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More safety tips in the ISP news release below
Driving Safety Tips
- ALWAYS watch for stopped school buses in the morning hours and afternoon hours.
- Watch for children walking to and from school and waiting at bus stops.
- ALWAYS keep your eyes on the road and be patient driving behind school buses.
School Zone Driving Safety Tips
- Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits.
- When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.
- ALWAYS stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children.
- Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
- Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, and in school parking lots.
- NEVER pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.
- NEVER text while driving in a school zone.
- Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.
Walking to School Safety Tips
- Leave home early enough to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of school.
- Use the same route every day and never use shortcuts.
- Go straight home after school. Do not go anywhere else without permission.
- Always use public sidewalks and streets when walking to school.
- Try and walk to school with other students. There is strength in numbers.
- Teach your children to recognize and obey traffic signals and signs.
- Only cross streets at designated crosswalks.
- Always look both ways before crossing the street.
- Always walk and never run across intersections.
- Don't talk to strangers. Teach your children to create distance between themselves and anyone who tries to approach or make contact with them.
- If a stranger does approach your child, make sure they know to immediately report the incident to you or a teacher.
- Teach your children to never get into a vehicle with anyone, even if they know them, without your permission.
School Bus Safety Tips
- Make it a habit of arriving at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus.
- Make sure your child stays out of the street and avoids excessive horseplay while waiting for the school bus.
- Be sure the bus comes to a complete stop before getting on or off.
- When riding the bus, make sure your child understands they must remain seated and keep their head and arms inside the bus at all times.
- Do not shout or distract the driver.
- Always listen to the instructions of the bus driver.
Student Driver Safety Tips
- NO cell phones while driving.
- NO extra passengers.
- NO speeding.
- NO driving or riding without a seatbelt.