Every school day, about 350,000 Arkansas students travel to school via school bus. Thousands more walk, ride their bicycles or receive transportation from their families.
With school back in session, the roads near schools will be busier – and many roads will experience traffic pauses as school buses stop to pick up students. To keep kids and drivers safe, it’s important to prepare for these changes and adjust to them.
School Bus Safety Statistics and Tips
Traffic injury statistics reveal that school buses are among the safest forms of ground travel. However, school buses are not completely safe. Between 2012 and 2021, 42 children lost their lives in school bus crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Another 80 children died in school-related crashes involving other vehicles, like school vans. In this same time period, 78 children were killed in pedestrian crashes while walking to or from school, and 5 children on bicycles suffered fatal accidents.
Compared to other forms of transportation, school buses have a low rate of death or serious injury for their occupants. Other drivers on the road play an important role in keeping school bus travel safe for students.
Drivers can improve back-to-school safety for students by:
- Leaving earlier and practicing patience. School buses tend to slow down traffic as they pick up or drop off students. If you’re traveling at the same time the buses are out, give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Practice patience as you drive near buses.
- Stop for the bus: It’s the law. School buses are equipped with signal lights and signs to warn traffic they will slow down or stop. Drivers are required under Arkansas law to stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing. If the yellow lights are flashing, slow down and prepare to stop. A citation for failure to stop comes with heavy consequences: $2,500 in fines or up to 90 days in jail, according to the Arkansas State Police.
- Watch for children. Keep a close eye on the area around a school bus. Children may run into the street, fail to look for traffic, or take other risks. Keep an eye on children even after the bus starts to move again, especially when children are dropped off in the afternoons.
Risks During Back-to-School Travel
Back to school safety includes more than just school buses. Drivers can expect to see more pedestrians, bicyclists, and inexperienced drivers on the road as well.
During the school year, children who walk or bike to school increase the number of pedestrians and bicyclists on the road, especially in school zones. The risk of an accident increases when these travelers interact with the increased number of cars that also visit the school in the morning and afternoon to drop off or pick up students. Slowing down and staying alert in school zones can help drivers avoid an accident with a pedestrian or bicyclist.
In the fall, many teen drivers embrace the responsibility and freedom of driving themselves to school. These inexperienced drivers are excited for their newfound independence, but they are also still learning how to drive safely. Watching out for inexperienced drivers, providing a greater following distance, and driving defensively can help both new and experienced drivers stay safer on the roads.
What To Do If You or Your Loved One Are Injured This Fall
While school bus accidents are rare, injuries during any form of school-related transportation can occur. If you or someone you love is injured during the back-to-school season:
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. Call 911 in an emergency or go to the nearest emergency room. See a doctor as soon as possible. Some accident-related injuries, like concussions or whiplash, aren’t immediately apparent. A medical examination can spot these injuries and provide a course of treatment.
- Document the situation. Take photos of the scene, if possible. Gather information from witnesses. Have the injured person write down or dictate what they remember. This information can help you understand what happened and build a case for compensation if needed.
- Speak to an attorney. An experienced Arkansas injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights or the rights of an injured loved one. Your attorney can gather information, negotiate with insurance companies, and advise you on how best to protect your rights or the rights of an injured child.
To learn more, reach out to the team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A.