The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers that schools throughout the state are starting their 2009-2010 school year. Young people will be on the move – walking, biking, and driving to school.
It is critical for drivers to be alert, especially near school zones, playgrounds, and bicycle paths, the patrol says. Traffic patterns will change as school buses and parents taking their children to school join other motorists on the road. Both additional vehicles and parents taking students to school before going to work will affect the morning and afternoon commute, the patrol says. Whatever route you drive, expect this additional traffic and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination.
Afternoons can be especially dangerous. Most traffic crashes involving young drivers (under the age of 21) in 2008 occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., when school typically lets out. Drivers need to be aware of the increased traffic during this time – not just in areas around school, but all around town. Remember: Many of these drivers are inexperienced. It is important to encourage those young drivers to remember driving is a full-time job. Using a cell phone, texting or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash.
“Last year, one person was killed and 400 people were injured in school bus crashes. Missouri experienced 1,069 traffic crashes involving school buses,” said Col. James F. Keathley, superintendent of the patrol. “Drivers must stay alert at all times, but especially in areas where schoolchildren are traveling to and from Missouri’s schools.”
All motorists need to remember state law regarding school buses. Missouri law states on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. The The patrol said drivers, when seeing a stopped school bus, should be alert. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway.