Follow These Tips While a School Bus Is Near You

Millions of school kids take buses every day and go safely to and from primary, middle and secondary school. School bus safety is a major issue, and when it comes to buses, many normal motorists just don't understand the rules of the road. If you have ever dropped off or picked up kids from a school, you may have seen someone driving around a school bus carelessly. The safety of school buses is the responsibility of all drivers, so every driver has to know some tips about them.

This article presents a list of things every driver should know about school buses, to avoid an uncomfortable event requiring a lawyer for an auto accident in Oklahoma.

Patience Is the Key

School buses are not sports cars. They are large and heavy trucks that are designed to provide the occupants with the highest possible protection. Their main function is to take children to school and then drop them off. They frequently stop because of this. Due to these factors, drivers sharing the road with a school bus must practice patience.

Maintaining a Distance

When driving behind school buses, it is important to keep a safe distance. Drivers should be sure to keep at least three cars behind school buses when driving on the highways or roads, and this distance should be increased at highway speeds. Drivers should stop their vehicles at a stop not less than 10 to 20 feet when a school bus stops.

Precaution before Overtaking

Drivers are only supposed to try and drive past a school bus in the legal passing area, and they should take extra care, because school buses have large blind spots and smaller vehicles can be difficult for bus drivers to see.

Defensive Driving

Keep at bay aggressive driving in the vicinity of school buses when operating a motor vehicle. Instead, drivers should be careful and ensure that the moves of any other drivers are anticipated.

During Loading and Off-loading

If a school bus is blinking its yellow light to indicate that it is getting ready to stop, drivers should also be prepared to stop. When stopped, its red light blinks and its stop sign is extended, meaning it takes passengers or drops them off. Drivers must remain at a stop until the stop sign is withdrawn and red flashing lights are switched off.

Be Careful

Kids can be unpredictable, and if you're near a school bus, be extra careful about a child who might run for a ball, darts across the road or just doesn't look.

Whether you're at fault or not, an accident is not easy to deal with, especially if anyone is hurt. You must call your Oklahoma auto accident lawyer to handle the case correctly if an accident occurs. Since prevention is always better than cure, it would be best to follow the tips to be safe from your side.

The West Law Firm legal experts wish students a fun summer break and look forward to a safe, healthy school year for everybody next year!

** Disclaimer: The above article does not imply a relationship between attorney and client, nor is it legal advice.