Schools urge drivers to be cautious as classes resume

As Union County schools prepare to begin the 2019-20 school year this Tuesday or Wednesday, state and school officials are encouraging drivers to be careful as they drive through school zones or on city streets where buses are loading and unloading.

El Dorado School District Transportation Director John Thompson said that drivers should be alert as they enter school zones.

“El Dorado has crosswalks that cross major streets that have a lot of traffic,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re not on our cell phones and that we’re at or under the school zone speed limit, which is 20 miles per hour.”

In addition to ensuring students arrive at school or home safely, there are also legal reasons to be careful in school zones and around buses. It’s illegal to pass stopped school buses when their red lights are flashing, which is when students are loading or unloading. According to a state-issued press release, school bus drivers reported 884 instances of drivers breaking this law in one day in April.

“It’s against the law to pass a bus from any direction with student lights active,” Thompson said. “Drivers need to be cautious inside neighborhoods as well; a lot of our buses will drop off at an intersection, and students walk home. Be careful driving over hills as well, especially if you know there’s a bus stop on the other side.”

The Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Association of Pupil Transportation, and Arkansas School Bus Mechanics Association launched the seventh annual Flashing Red. Kids Ahead last week, which is designed to emphasize school bus safety.

“Each day approximately 350,000 Arkansas students ride school buses,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “Student safe

ty on and off the bus does not stop with bus drivers; every motorist has a responsibility. The number of instances of Arkansas motorists illegally passing school buses in one day is alarming.

“In addition to increased penalties passed by the legislature this past session, educational campaigns are essential to combating this problem. Through the Flashing Red. Kids Ahead. campaign, the Department of Education and other partners are making great strides to increase awareness. Each of us has a part to do to ensure each and every child arrives to and from school safely each day.”

Thompson encouraged residents with questions or concerns to call his office at 870-864-9006.