School is back in session - mind the school buses
Northumberland County public schools started in-person, hybrid learning for students Pre-K through 12 the week of October 19.
This means that school buses will be back on the road twice a day, four days a week. In-person education takes place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (learn more from Dr. Holly Wargo, Superintendent of Northumberland County Public Schools).
What this means for drivers:
Unless there is a physical median between you a the bus, you must stop when the bus’s blinking lights are active. In our area a physical median means a grass median. In town it could be concrete.
On back roads drive more cautiously during the morning and afternoon hours. You may not be able to see a stopped bus around a blind turn.
Yellow lights on a school bus mean stop. Remain stopped until the caution lights are off and the bus begins moving again.
Red lights on a school bus mean stop. Remain stopped until the caution lights are off and the bus begins moving again.
Often times a school bus may need to turn around in a driveway. Be aware and allow them to make the maneuver. Their lights will continue to blink when making the turn.
Sheriff Beauchamp encourages drivers to take it slowly. “You have places to go and things to do. But, please. Don’t hurry. No rush is worth a child’s life,” he said.
The sheriff also offers several can-dos related to passing a moving school bus. You may pass if:
you don’t need to violate the speed limit to do so
you have a broken line on your side of the highway
you do so safely while monitoring the status of their caution lights
