Drivers passing school bus--rant!

[kmp1191]

I'm thinking it was 2 years ago here that a child was killed when a person drove around a school bus. The child got off the bus, and crossed in front like he was supposed to, and the car hit him. The driver was charged w/ manslaughter and is in jail.

I wouldn't hesitate to find out who the "neighbor" was, and send him a little note reminding him of the laws, and rules of the road.

Good luck!

 

[jennyl772003]

My son takes the "short" bus as well as he is VI. It takes him a little longer to board because of it.

Last year as the bus was stopped with lights flashing and stop sign out, a car started to drive past coming from the opposite direction. DS bus driver leaned out of his window and gave the driver a crash course on the laws concerning busses.

Yeah bus driver!

 

[tw1nsmom]

This is a real problem at our house, and we live on a busy road. I'm tempted to keep my camera with me this year when I get the kids off the bus and take pictures of the license plates of the cars that pass the bus.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Do you know which neighbor it was? Could the bus driver report the car?

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

If you know which neighbor it is, I don't understand why you can't talk to him in a non-confrontational/aggressive way? Saying something along the lines of "I am sure you weren't aware, but you passed Johnnys schoolbus the other day while he was loading". He might say he knew and was in a hurry, which give you free rein to tell him how unsafe that is, or maybe he didn't realize it and he'll apologize. (I don't see how he could have missed a bright yellow bus, but whatever)

In any event, I wouldn't let it blow over, and I wouldn't trust the school bus driver to report it either. You saw him do it, it involves your childs safety, go talk to the neighbor. LIke I said, it doesn't have to be aggressive in any way.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Isn't that illegal? Call the school - ask for a crossing guard to be stationed near the bus stop. I guarantee you will see the principal at your stop shortly. What are some people thinking when they endanger others like this?

 

[Becky2005]

Isn't that illegal? Call the school - ask for a crossing guard to be stationed near the bus stop. I guarantee you will see the principal at your stop shortly. What are some people thinking when they endanger others like this?

Yes it IS illegal but that doesn't stop some people (since apparently a stop sign doesn't apply to them). The bus stop is at the OP's house so there is no need for a crossing guard (they load directly from the driveway so her child never crosses the street -- it's just the bus is loading but you are still supposed to be stopped anytime the bus has their red flashing lights & stop sign out no matter if it's loading or unloading.)

I'm not sure how the Principal could be at bus stops that people pass busses on (unless you are meaning the ones at the school). Just thinking about our bus situation and it would be impossible for our principal to be at the bus stops -- we have lots & lots of busses and the stops are all over the neighborhood. We have a few crossing guards here at the busy intersections near the schools for the walkers. I know it was brought up to have one at the end of our street because it's a busy street, I believe they may have had to do a traffic survey since those crossing guards are hired by the police department. They did put one but according to the letter we got his year it's only in the morning (I think it said that last year too but there was one in the afternoon).

I know at least in our school district they would not put a crossing guard at every bus stop -- the flashing red lights & swinging out stop sign are supposed to effectively do the same thing.

 

[minkydog]

If you know which neighbor it is, I don't understand why you can't talk to him in a non-confrontational/aggressive way? Saying something along the lines of "I am sure you weren't aware, but you passed Johnnys schoolbus the other day while he was loading". He might say he knew and was in a hurry, which give you free rein to tell him how unsafe that is, or maybe he didn't realize it and he'll apologize. (I don't see how he could have missed a bright yellow bus, but whatever)

In any event, I wouldn't let it blow over, and I wouldn't trust the school bus driver to report it either. You saw him do it, it involves your childs safety, go talk to the neighbor. LIke I said, it doesn't have to be aggressive in any way.

That's the problem, i don't know which neighbor it is. The car was a big white SUV, like a lot of SUVs in my neighborhood. I plan to be on the lookout for it. I have no intention of starting a fight, and i'm sure my neighbor was just having a ******* moment. Everyone is very kind and understanding with Christian, so I'm sure they would never intentionally put him in danger.

I'll be watching

 

[agnes!]

Situations like what you experienced this morning are why cell phones with cameras were invented...*especially* if they have a date/time stamp...and if you have the bus supervisor's e-mail...and the school principal's...and the local police ...maybe even the homeowners' association...and the PTA president's e-mail...etc., etc.

agnes!

 

[BuckNaked]

Is your child the only one getting on the bus at the time?

While I would certainly never condone someone passing a stopped bus, if your child is the only one getting on, and you are there helping him up the steps, I think it is a bit of an overreaction to be tossing about accusations of "endangering a busload of kids".

***ETA: Many times here in DC, the handicapped buses don't even put out their signs. They stop at each house, and it takes so long for some of the kids to get out and onto the bus, it just isn't feasible to have traffic backed up like that.

 

[Froggyswife]

I would definitely keep a sharp eye out for this neighbor and if he/she does it again get the license number and report him/her.

 

[minkydog]

Is your child the only one getting on the bus at the time?

While I would certainly never condone someone passing a stopped bus, if your child is the only one getting on, and you are there helping him up the steps, I think it is a bit of an overreaction to be tossing about accusations of "endangering a busload of kids".

***ETA: Many times here in DC, the handicapped buses don't even put out their signs. They stop at each house, and it takes so long for some of the kids to get out and onto the bus, it just isn't feasible to have traffic backed up like that.

He is the only child getting on the bus. There are already some kids on the bus. There is the bus driver and me to help DS up the steps. The kids that ride this bus are all handicapped. Some are in wheelchairs, some are mentally handicapped.

It doesn't matter how long it takes to board the bus. The law says drivers must stop. It's a safety violation, whether there are 10 kids boarding or only one.

 

[BuckNaked]

He is the only child getting on the bus. There are already some kids on the bus. There is the bus driver and me to help DS up the steps. The kids that ride this bus are all handicapped. Some are in wheelchairs, some are mentally handicapped.

In other words, yes, you completely overreacted with the statement about "endangering a busload of kids".

It doesn't matter how long it takes to board the bus. The law says drivers must stop. It's a safety violation, whether there are 10 kids boarding or only one.

Yes, drivers should stop if the sign is out, because it is the law. But it is not necessarily true that it is a safety issue whether there is one kid or 10 kids boarding the bus.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Yes it IS illegal but that doesn't stop some people (since apparently a stop sign doesn't apply to them). The bus stop is at the OP's house so there is no need for a crossing guard (they load directly from the driveway so her child never crosses the street -- it's just the bus is loading but you are still supposed to be stopped anytime the bus has their red flashing lights & stop sign out no matter if it's loading or unloading.)

I'm not sure how the Principal could be at bus stops that people pass busses on (unless you are meaning the ones at the school). Just thinking about our bus situation and it would be impossible for our principal to be at the bus stops -- we have lots & lots of busses and the stops are all over the neighborhood. We have a few crossing guards here at the busy intersections near the schools for the walkers. I know it was brought up to have one at the end of our street because it's a busy street, I believe they may have had to do a traffic survey since those crossing guards are hired by the police department. They did put one but according to the letter we got his year it's only in the morning (I think it said that last year too but there was one in the afternoon).

I know at least in our school district they would not put a crossing guard at every bus stop -- the flashing red lights & swinging out stop sign are supposed to effectively do the same thing.

I was trying to help by giving some advice. Going to the neighbor would not be smart. Who knows what would happen after that?

If a parent calls our school and asks for a crossing guard due to a dangerous situation, then the situation is examined. Our principal has arrived at "dangerous bus stops" many times. We are responsible for our students - not only to educate them, but also to get them to and from school safely.
I was pointing this out - to complain about a problem, and to not be afraid. These are your children - we need to take care of them.

And - yes - I am a teacher.

 

[minkydog]

In other words, yes, you completely overreacted with the statement about "endangering a busload of kids".



Yes, drivers should stop if the sign is out, because it is the law. But it is not necessarily true that it is a safety issue whether there is one kid or 10 kids boarding the bus.

No, I would not say i overreacted. This is a population of students who, on a good day, cannot fend for themselves. Almost anything out of the ordinary can place them in danger. They cannot reason nor understand safety rules themselves. That's why it is incumbent upon us adults to obey the laws which keep them safe.

ETA: the neighbor stopped this a.m.

 

[Jeanny]

ok, that driver was definitely wrong... you never ever pass a school bus!

I need to get out a little vent while we're on the subject of school buses (not the buses picking up disabled students). There has been many a day when I'm driving the other way and the bus comes, I sit patiently, waiting for the kids to load on the bus... little Janie's and little Johnny's are in line and walking up the stairs and getting settled into their seats.

THEN MOM has to chat with the driver.....not just a short chat, a LONG chat. After a MINUTE of chit chat, (I've timed it) yes I get inpatient and yes, that's ME, beeping my horn at you!!! BUT I would never start driving, because the lights are still flashing on the bus!!!!!

I've ALREADY adjusted my schedule to leave earlier than usual, and it doesn't include you having a coffee break at the bus stop!! and this doesn't happen at just ONE bus stop, it happens at about THREE of them around here.

Ok, sorry! but I feel better

 

[tw1nsmom]

In other words, yes, you completely overreacted with the statement about "endangering a busload of kids".



Yes, drivers should stop if the sign is out, because it is the law. But it is not necessarily true that it is a safety issue whether there is one kid or 10 kids boarding the bus.

The OP didn't overreact. That driver had no way of knowing if there were other students coming for the bus. Children aren't known for their incredible impulse control. How many times have you seen children running to catch the bus?

In this instance there was just one child entering the bus. However, I have a friend whose DS has autism. When he was younger, he had incredible impulse control issues and was physically very strong. He wore a harness on the bus, but I could totally see him getting out of the harness (he did it at home) and bolting off the bus while the driver was busy seating another student.

My children are dropped off in front of my house. This past year, because they were in kindergarten, they were only dropped off on my side of the street. It was a good thing too. There were at least half a dozen times when a car just blew right past the bus with it's sign and flasher on. Those drivers didn't know that my children weren't crossing the street. They just didn't care enough to pay attention or follow the rules.

This year it's a possibility that the bus will drop them off on the other side. I fully intend to stand in the middle of the road to meet the children. People are in too big of a hurry these days. They forget to watch out for each other.

 

[Chattyaholic]

If it takes several minutes to get the child onto the bus and ready to go, why can't the bus pull into the driveway so it doesn't disrupt traffic?

There is a handicapped child a few miles from me that takes quite a few minutes to get onto the bus as he is in a special wheelchair and they use the electric lift for him. The bus holds up traffic for several minutes, the lines get long on both sides. The house has a semi-circle driveway. I don't understand why the bus (it's a "short" bus, not a regular long one) can't pull into the driveway to let the child on so traffic isn't stopped/held up for so long. I've only had to stop a couple of times, so it's really no big deal to me, but for those who are driving that route at that time every day it's probably quite an inconvenience and could be solved by the bus pulling into the driveway.

 

[Becky2005]

I was trying to help by giving some advice. Going to the neighbor would not be smart. Who knows what would happen after that?

If a parent calls our school and asks for a crossing guard due to a dangerous situation, then the situation is examined. Our principal has arrived at "dangerous bus stops" many times. We are responsible for our students - not only to educate them, but also to get them to and from school safely.
I was pointing this out - to complain about a problem, and to not be afraid. These are your children - we need to take care of them.

And - yes - I am a teacher.

Wow! I'm impressed.

I wasn't trying to be negative...I was just trying to picture the principal showing up at the bus stops here and couldn't picture it.

The Principal is always out in the morning at the school as the first one out there before the teachers get out there for student supervision. She's the one that has the kids who arrive too early against the wall (that's not punishment, that's just the rules until the morning supervision is out there, you sit against the wall instead of playing on the playground).

I guess since my kids have ridden the special busses I just had this vision of the Principal showing up at my house to watch for passing cars and it just didn't seem feasible.

I know this year they have banned parking on the side street near our school because parents weren't thinking clearly. We have a car line drop off/pick up system. If you want to not use it, you have to park and are supposed to walk your child across (not just have them run across by themselves). Apparently kids were crossing through the bus drop off section since the parents weren't actually walking the child across themselves. So, to solve that problem, they have banned parking, stopping & standing on that side street. If you want to walk them across you can still park in the parking lot, so I know anything that happens near the school they address. We also have 5th graders as safety patrols that block the streets for walkers at a few crosswalk parts, unload/load cars, etc... (My oldest was a patrol, I was there really early every morning that year and would have to sit around in the car in the parking lot & wait with my other one until the kids could come off the wall and then he would go out. ).

I think the transporation department does anything else because for years & years the bus stop was directly across the street from our house. Since we live on a fairly busy street, last year they removed all bus stops from this street since kids were having to cross the street (It was good in one way but I was bummed in another because it was the first year my DD was going to ride the bus since she hit Middle School. I have watched the kids out my windows for years -- it was my timing cue if the grade school bus was there, we had best be on our way out the door (since my kids didn't ride it as it was a fee bus). It would have been nice for her to be able to just go across the street and get on the bus & me to watch out the window for her getting home. Alas, she now has to walk down a block (still has to cross a street just not the busy one) or so.

 

[ericamanda01]

OP I am sorry to hear about the bad first day at the bus stop. If it continues, I would place a video camera on a tripod in clear view so that your neighbors can see that passing this bus is not something that will be tolerated. I hope things improve.