KHP troopers to inspect U-234, U-235 school buses

As children across the state prepare to head back to school, it's also time for those children and their parents to start thinking about school bus safety.

To ensure that all school vehicles will load, transport, and unload students safely, Kansas Highway Patrol troopers are inspecting school buses and other vehicles across the state for compliance with safety regulations, according to a KHP statement. KHP officials are still planning the dates of the troopers' scheduled tour across Kansas, and there is no estimated date when they will visit school districts in Bourbon County, a KHP spokeswoman said Monday.

Troopers will be visiting each school district to inspect nearly 9,000 school vehicles' mechanical conditions and equipment. A bus that passes the inspection will display a green sticker of approval in the corner of the windshield. Buses that do not comply with safety regulations cannot be used to transport students until all defects are corrected and a trooper rechecks the vehicles. Last year, KHP personnel inspected 8,908 vehicles, the KHP statement said.

"Getting ready for school to start is a busy time of year for teachers, parents, and students," KHP Superintendent Col. William Seck said. "While preparing supplies, schedules, and other back-to-school needs, adults and children should not forget about safety. Our troopers are committed to the safety of children, which is one reason why we inspect school vehicles for safety compliance. Adults also should take time to talk with children about getting to and from school safely."

Although school buses are one of the safest means of highway transportation, getting on and off a bus can be dangerous. KHP offers the following safety tips for parents, children, and motorists before the school year begins:

* Do not hurry to get on or off the bus. Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

* When the bus approaches, stand at least five giant steps away from the curb, and line up away from the street.

* Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it is safe to enter before stepping onto the bus. Use the handrails to avoid falls. Be careful that clothes, shoelaces, book bags, or other items do not get caught on the handrail or door of the bus.

* People who have to cross the street in front of the bus should walk on the sidewalk or alongside the road at least five giant steps (about 10 feet) ahead of the bus before crossing in front of it. Stay visible to the driver, and make sure the driver is also visible. Never walk behind the bus, and walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.

* Children should stop at the bus' edge and look both ways twice for oncoming traffic before crossing the street. Kids must learn the importance of watching for traffic before getting off the bus or crossing the street because drivers may not see them.

* If something is dropped, tell the driver and wait to make sure the drive understands before trying to pick it up. The driver may not see a child bending down. In addition, a child is less likely to drop something in traffic if he or she carries the school supplies in a backpack.

* Obey the bus driver, sit facing forward in the seat, use an "inside voice," and do not stick anything out the windows.

The following are school bus safety tips for bus drivers before the school year starts:

* When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or riding a bicycle to school.

* When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking about getting there safely.

* Slow down. Watch for children congregating near bus stops.

* Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

* Know that is illegal to pass a school bus stopped to load or unload students. In Kansas, the fine for this potentially deadly violation is $300 plus court costs.

* Learn the flashing signal system that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions.

* Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop.

* Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicates the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before starting to drive again.