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   It’s back to school time and we need to remember to safely share the roads with school buses, pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as provide children with the necessary knowledge to stay safe when traveling to and from school. Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is extremely important that they - and the motorists around them - take proper safety precautions. School bus drivers are skilled professionals who deserve motorist’s cooperation and attention to help them safely do their important, and at times difficult, jobs every day.  Young people walking to bus stops, riding bikes and getting on and off the bus is a good reminder for everyone to pay attention when traveling, especially during this time of the year.  As school is now in session, it is important for all drivers and motorists to be aware that busses are back on the roads making stops and delivering kids to schools and activities. 

Walkers:

   Review your family’s walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child.

   • Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing traffic

   • Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming

   • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections

   • Stay alert and avoid distracted walking

Bike Riders:

   Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with your child.

   • Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file

   • Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street

   • Stay alert and avoid distracted riding

   • Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing

Bus Riders: 

   Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them.

   • Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus

   • Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb

   • If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other.

Driving Your Child to School:

   • Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.

   • Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure

   • Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street

   • Never pass a bus loading or unloading children

   • The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus

   When a school bus is stopped and displaying an extended stop-signal arm and flashing red lights, the driver of a vehicle approaching the bus must stop that vehicle at least 20 feet away from the bus and must not allow their vehicle to move until the school bus stop-signal arm is retracted and the red lights are no longer flashing. A driver who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of not less than $500 (nor more than $1000) and 90 days in jail. If the driver of a motor vehicle passes or attempts to pass the school bus on the right hand or passenger side of the bus, or if the driver attempts to pass the school bus on either side when a school child is outside of the bus, the driver is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. Gross misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $3,000 and one year in jail. 

   The Cass County Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone a safe fall and back to school kick off and together we will work to make transportation to and from school safe for everyone.  

   If you have specific questions that you would like answered in this column or in person, please feel free to contact me anytime using one of the following methods:

Email: 

[email protected]

Phone: 

218-547-1424 | 1-800-450-2677

By Mail/In Person:

Cass County Sheriff’s Office

303 Minnesota Ave W

PO Box 1119

 Walker MN 56484

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