First day of school brings reminder for drivers to stay alert

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- With the first day of school right around corner for a lot of area schools, it encourage for motorists to pay extra attention while behind the wheel.

Additional cars, buses, bicyclists and pedestrians will be on roads and streets as they make their way to school.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2013 to 2022 more than 1,000 people died in school-transportation-related crashes, and 198 of those were children age 18 and younger. 

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Shane Hux said the school year brings changes to traffic patterns, along with an increase in pedestrian traffic.

"A lot of younger drivers are going be out there in the early morning and the evening time between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. whenever school dismisses," he said. "There's going to be more congestion out there. Some students will choose to walk to school, some students will choose to ride their bike to school.

It's important for drivers to notice the cross walks in school zones.

"It's very important to pay attention, avoid the distractions that are out there with your cell phone, electronic devices things like that," he said.

Drivers should stop anytime a school bus is picking or dropping off students.

"They are going to activate their flashing amber lights and that is a caution. That's not a time to pass the school bus. Be prepared to stop whenever you recognize those amber lights being displayed," Hux said. "When the red lights come on and the arms are extended you are required to stop."

Hux also reminded drivers that they are required to stop in both directions when a school bus red lights are activated, whether they are on a two-lane or three-lane road. The penalty for not stopping for a school bus is $500 fine and 5 points added to your divers license.

Students walking or biking to school should cross the street using the intersection or cross walks.

"It's not safe for students to dart out between parked cars. If you're riding a bicycle, it's also important for students to ride with traffic, and obey all traffic signals and signs," Hux said. "It's important for the parent to talk to their children about that."

Parents need to patient waiting in line during pick up and drop off.

"It takes time to get that many students. There's a line that will back up, you just have to be patient," Hux said. "Everybody there to get their kid home safely."

When dropping off your child make sure you child makes it to a safe location.

"Visually watch them enter that building or visually watch the go up to an administrator or a teacher to where they are in safe place. Wait till there off the road. Whenever a student exits the vehicle, I recommend that they walk around the front of the vehicle," Hux said.

The first day of school is Aug. 25.