Travel safely as buses return to roadways

Last week all Franklin County students returned to the classroom, and you know what that means: buses are back in business.

During morning and afternoon hours when buses are transporting students to and from school, we urge you to use caution when sharing Franklin County highways and byways with local school buses.

We know it can sometimes be frustrating if a slow or stopped bus hinders you from hurrying along your merry way. We all have somewhere to be, and the scurry and scramble of life can make it seem necessary to speed along, whatever the cost. But the potential for injury or death to a child is a cost that is far too great.

So please, don’t take any risks when traveling in the vicinity of student-laden school buses. If the bus is stopping, all traffic is also required to stop, with the only exception being vehicles on the opposite side of a four-lane highway divided by a median.

Young scholars boarding or disembarking the bus might not be watching for you, which makes it that much more imperative that you watch for them. Give children plenty of space to cross the road when the bus is loading or unloading, and don’t be too quick to hit the gas when you think they have all crossed – just in case a late student is dashing over at the last minute, or a student finds he has dropped something and turns to go back.

We want all our Franklin County students to have a happy, productive and safe school year, both inside and outside the classroom. Please join us in taking care to ensure all students are able to travel safely.