‘Quest-for-Zero’: Watch for buses as kids go back to school Published Aug. 28, 2015 By Steve Serette 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Thousands of children in Oklahoma City and its surrounding communities ride to and from school on buses each day. Although school buses are the safest way to get pupils to their classrooms -- they are 87 times safer than passenger cars, light trucks and vans -- an average of 33 school-aged children die in bus-related traffic mishaps each year in the U.S. Most of those killed are pedestrians, 5 to 7 years old. Here's another way of putting it: Nearly one-fifth of traffic fatalities of children younger than 15 are pedestrians, with more school-age pedestrians killed between 3 and 4 p.m. than any other time of day. The greatest and most pronounced risk they face is not riding the bus, but approaching and departing it. According to a past case study, approximately 20,000 children suffer from pedestrian injuries each year from contact with passenger cars. They are hit in the danger zone (also known as "The Death Zone") around the bus, usually by a vehicle passing illegally, a speeding vehicle or by the school bus itself. Young children are most likely to be hit because they: · hurry to get on or off the bus · act before they think and have little experience with traffic · assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross · don't always stay within the bus driver's sight · fall victim to careless passenger car operators On Tinker, buses traverse the housing area carrying children to and from school. Off base, which is what affects the majority of Tinker personnel, school buses are "everywhere." The buses make frequent stops allowing passengers to get on and off the bus and the occupants of both sets of buses are subjected to the same danger zone issues. Both on and off base, all motorists must do their part to ensure the safety of children (and adults) who ride the bus. First and foremost, a motorist must know and understand that passing a stopped school bus with its lights flashing and the STOP sign extended is a dangerous offense, one that may lead to the death of an innocent child. The Oklahoma Digest of Motor Laws (applicable in whole to Tinker as well) states, "The driver of a vehicle approaching a school bus from either direction must stop his vehicle whenever the bus is stopped to take on or discharge students and has its red loading signals in operation." According to Air Force Instruction 31-218 (AF Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision), Table 5.2, motorists will be punished for the "moving traffic violation" of "failure to stop for school bus or school crossing signals." Tinker Supplement 31-218 (Atch 2, para. A2.6.1.6) states, "Operators of motor vehicles will not pass a bus that is stopped to load or unload passengers on which the red loading signals are in operation." On Tinker, motorists -- whether approaching from the front or overtaking from the rear -- must do their part to ensure the safety of bus riders by stopping for buses that have their flashing lights activated. It will be safe to move again when the flashing lights have been turned off. As a motorist, here are some key pieces of information you may want to retain: Slow down: According to a recent national observational survey, it has been estimated that approximately two-thirds of motorists exceeded the posted speed limit during the 30-minute period before and after school. Whether in a school zone or residential neighborhood, all motorists must keep their speed low and be prepared to stop quickly for increased pedestrian traffic. The usual speed limit in a school zone is 25 mph. Always expect the unexpected. Obey traffic signs: Another national observational survey revealed that numerous motorists violated STOP signs on school buses, in school zones and residential neighborhoods. In total, 45 percent did not come to a complete stop with 37 percent "rolling through" and 7 percent not even slowing down. Stay alert: Motorists must always avoid distractions while operating a vehicle, but it is of utmost importance in school zones and residential neighborhoods. Looking away from the road -- to text, talk on the mobile phone or fiddle with the radio -- for just 2 seconds doubles or sometimes triples the chance of being involved in a crash, and quite possibly with a school bus. Scan between parked vehicles: Remember that children can (and do) very quickly dart out from between parked vehicles along the roadway. Again - always expect the unexpected.] Allow for extra travel time: Back-to-school often means increased traffic congestion and longer commute times. Motorists should build in some extra travel time when school is in session to avoid submitting to any temptation to speed or disobey traffic laws in an effort to "catch up" after being delayed. Review your travel routes: If possible, motorists should consider modifying their travel routes to avoid school zones and residential areas other than their own. A slightly longer route might actually be quicker by avoiding traffic congestion and much lower speed limits in and around school zones. Bad weather: As school continues, autumn will soon follow and then winter will be next. Whether in rain, snow, ice, fog or any other Oklahoma inclement weather, motorists must use extra caution. Reduced visibility usually makes it difficult for drivers to see children and children to see vehicles. Poor weather conditions often make it difficult for a vehicle to perform a quick stop. If there's ice and snow, do not be a "peephole driver" -- clean off the entire windshield, both side mirrors, all side windows and back window in order to have full and safe visibility. See and be seen: Make sure your headlights are on during dusk, dawn and inclement weather. Turning on the headlights allows children and other drivers to see you more easily, and it allows you to see better as well. Motorists failing to heed their surroundings -- especially where buses are concerned -- could have very severe consequences, or worse yet, the memory of hitting, injuring and possibly killing another human being with your vehicle may be one you carry for the rest of your life. This does not include court costs, defense attorney fees, jail time, almost impossible-to-find vehicle insurance coverage and civil lawsuits from the victim's family which could very well leave you destitute. Stay safe and remain focused on our "Quest-for-Zero" Safety campaign, both on and off-duty. (Some parts of this article thanks to www.ok.aaa.com)