At On Time Logistics, we deliver thousands of packages each year but there is nothing more precious that is delivered than the children of our communities. In some of our delivery areas, school started as early as the end of July but most of us will be seeing those bright yellow school buses on the road in the next week or two.
We are joining forces with the Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Association of Pupil Transportation and Arkansas School Bus Mechanics Association celebrate the sixth annual Flashing Red. Kids Ahead campaign. This safety campaign has always been three weeks in August, but this year the entire month is set aside to educate the bring mindfulness to school bus safety.
The focus of the Flashing Red. Kids Ahead campaign is school bus safety, especially when children are loading and unloading.
“School bus safety is important throughout the entire year,” said Jerry Owens, the senior transportation manager at the Arkansas Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation. “It is important for all motorists to know that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing. Remember: Flashing Red. Kids Ahead.”
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson also spoke on the issue.
“As the 2018-2019 school year begins, about 350,000 youngsters around Arkansas will be boarding one of about 7,000 school buses every day,” he said in a recent press release. “Once again, the Department of Education is rolling out its bus-safety campaign. Flashing Red. Kids Ahead. rolls easily off the tongue and is an easy-to-remember slogan. When you see the flashing red lights on a stopped school bus, that means children are crossing the street, and state law requires drivers to stop. We owe our children a future, and one of the most basic contributions to their future is to ensure that they get to school and back home safely. Flashing Red. Kids Ahead. Easy to say. Vital to remember.”
We at On Time Logistics couldn’t agree more. That’s why we are dedicating space on our blog, in our newsletter, and on social media to school-related safety this month.
A survey last April showed startling results of lack of consideration for safety around school buses.
According to the survey, 3,200 Arkansas school bus drivers reported more than 850 instances of motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus in one day.
“Through the Flashing Red. Kids Ahead. campaign, our goal is to educate all motorists about the importance of obeying all traffic laws, including those involving school buses,” Owens said. “The safety of our students depends on it.”
We understand that sharing the road with slow-moving buses can be frustrating. We recommend leaving early for work to allow extra time. Also, be mindful that school bus stops tend to change each year, so you might find it better to alter your commute route to work to avoid delays.
We wish everyone in our communities a safe and happy school year! If you and your company want to join us in this campaign, learn more at the ADE website.