California Highway Patrol officers will ride Turlock Unified School District buses next month as part of an enforcement operation targeting motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.
The operation will take place Sept. 4 at multiple locations along district bus routes in the Turlock area, which is located about halfway between Sacramento and Fresno, CHP said in a press release sent to School Transportation News.
Officers riding as passengers will watch for motorists who fail to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. The officers will communicate with nearby CHP patrol units to stop motorists observed illegally passing a bus. Violators may receive warnings or traffic citations.
The operation is funded by a grant originating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
CHP said the operation is intended to educate motorists, parents and students about school bus pedestrian safety and reinforce state stopping requirements.
Drivers approaching a school bus from either direction must stop when its red lights are flashing, the agency reminded. Motorists must remain stopped while students enter or exit the bus and until children have safely crossed the street and the red lights stop flashing. Yellow flashing lights warn drivers to slow down and prepare to stop.
Motorists do not have to stop when a school bus is on the opposite side of a divided or multilane highway with at least two lanes in each direction, according to state law.
The agency also urged drivers to remain alert near school bus stops because children may act unpredictably or enter traffic without recognizing the danger. Motorists should reduce their speed and use additional caution around pedestrians, particularly in school zones before and after school.
Enforcement Also Targets Safe School Bus Ridership
CHP encouraged parents to make pedestrian and school bus safety part of their children’s routines. Students should arrive at their bus stop at least five minutes early and wait 10 feet from the road. Children who must cross a street to board should wait for the bus driver’s signal before proceeding.
Students also should not enter or leave a bus until the driver says it is safe, and they should never run after a bus they have missed. Running, games, pushing, and shoving should be avoided at bus stops.
When sidewalks are available, children should use them, CHP said. Where no sidewalk exists, students should walk single file, face approaching traffic and remain on the shoulder as far off the road as possible.
Children should look to the right before stepping off a bus because some motorists may attempt to pass on that side. Before crossing a street, students should stop and look left, right and left again. Crossings should be made at corners, crosswalks, or intersections whenever possible, where motorists are more likely to expect pedestrians.
“Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility,” CHP said in the release, adding that the agency is committed to helping keep the community safe and urging residents to follow traffic laws.
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