O’Dea Reminds New Canaanites about School Bus Safety

NEW CANAAN- With school beginning next week, State Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-125) wanted to remind drivers to be extra cautious on our public roadways.

More than 4,100 New Canaan children are transported to and from school either by school bus or a parent every day. When school is in session, drivers should be sure to drive with EXTRA caution. The following are safety tips for motorists, parents, and children:

Here are some tips for motorists:

Please slow down. Be alert for youngsters walking to and from school as you back out of your driveway or leave your parking garage.

“Remember, in some towns, including New Canaan, a motor vehicle violation may be photographed by a camera mounted on a school bus. Stop your car when you see lights flashing on a school bus. Red flashing lights indicate that the bus is stopped and students are getting on or off. Don’t start driving until the red lights stop flashing. Be aware that a child may cross the street,” said Rep. O’Dea.

There are also some safety tips for parents and children.

1) Stay away from danger zones around the bus. The blind spots where drivers cannot see. Always be sure you can see the driver, that means the driver can see you.

2) When getting on or off the bus be very careful. Watch out for cars. Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus. Drivers in a hurry sometimes try to sneak by buses on the right.

3) Warn children that if they drop something near the bus they should never ever pick it up. Instead, they should tell the bus driver and follow the driver’s directions. If they bend over to pick up a dropped object, they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the bus pulls away from the stop.

“Let’s protect our most precious commodity, our children. If each one of us follows these simple tips we can prevent any tragic accidents,” said Rep. O’Dea.