Jay Hunt, Transportation Director for Lawton Public Schools, has a few reminders for motorists this week. The one at the top of his list is to obey the retractable stop sign mounted on the driver’s side of all the yellow buses.
Hunt issued the safety reminders as LPS observes School Bus Safety Week. Each day, the school district runs close to 100 buses about 6,500 miles as it transports 6,200 students to and from school. One bus alone travels to Medicine Park to pick up students and deliver them to Carriage Hills Elementary School and MacArthur. That one trip is 81 miles one way. Those same students have to get home in the afternoon, for a total of 162 miles round trip every day that school is in session.
That mileage doesn't include runs made by activity buses, which usually go to specific destinations and do not run daily routes.
Hunt said with all those miles, keeping the buses in working order is a high priority.
“Every day, drivers do an inspection of their bus,” before they run their route, Hunt said. If drivers spot something amiss, such as a low tire or a headlight out, the shop corrects the problem before buses pull onto the street.
Drivers also do a walk-through of their bus to make sure the inside is ready for that day’s students.
“They make sure the environment is safe for students,” Hunt said.
Then the buses are ready to leave the Transportation Center and begin their routes.
Hunt said motorists can help keep students entering and exiting the buses safe by obeying the stop sign.
“Be aware of the stop sign on the side of the bus,” Hunt said. “It is just as real as if they came to a stop sign on the street.” Hunt said the sign is activated when the driver opens the door. When the stop sign is out, motorists in front of and behind the bus are required by law to stop, Hunt said.
Hunt said bus drivers will leave the stop sign extended until students who have exited the bus are out of the street.
“If kids are walking along the curb or the side of the street or up on the grass,” then the driver will retract the stop sign, Hunt said. Oncoming traffic may then proceed.
Motorists also need to be aware of what yellow flashing lights mean, Hunt said.
“Yellow flashing lights mean buses are ready to load and unload. Motorists can pass the bus but be prepared to stop if the red light comes on,” he said.
Hunt offered a few more safety tips:
• Motorists should avoid driving in the blind spot of buses. Drive behind or in front of the bus, but not beside it.
• Motorists should avoid making sudden stops or turns in front of buses. Because of their length and weight, it takes buses longer to stop than it does other vehicles.