Bus drivers remind motorists of school bus safety

Big yellow school buses are already on the roads now as some schools start classes this week, and the rest prepare to welcome students next week.

Bus safety is on almost every parent’s mind as a new school year starts. If your child rides a school bus, you have to trust drivers will obey the law — but that’s not always the case.

“We’ve actually had some people blow through the stop arm and not stop,” said Arlene Barrow, bus driver and trainer.

As soon as the amber lights turn on, slow down. When the stop arm swings out, come to a complete stop, no matter what lane you’re in.

Buses are now equipped with outside cameras that take photographs of drivers who don’t obey these rules and they get turned over to law enforcement.

“Even if it’s a two-way directional … you got two lanes going one direction and two lanes going the opposite direction, it’s still not legal to pass that school bus,” said Barrow.

Cameras don’t just catch bad drivers, they also catch bullies. Bus drivers said internal cameras and microphones help create a safe environment for everyone.

“We can pull the video, we can show parents and you can even hear what has been said,” said Barrow. “It’s been very effective with discipline and bus safety and bus rules.”

In the Shelley School District, bus drivers said it’s common to have close to 80 kids on one bus.