Schools warn drivers to stop for buses

By Tracy Buffington/Executive Editor
Wednesday, Oct 08, 2008 - 11:13:42 am CDT

Jeff Rump hears about it almost every day.

With drivers covering 11 routes for Fremont Public Schools, Rump hears about the cars that fail to stop when a school bus has its flashing red lights on and the stop arm out.

“It happens all the time,” said Rump, who is the supervisor of transportation for Fremont schools.

“It’s bad when we pick up on major streets,” he added.

Rump said Fremont Police have been helpful in watching some trouble spots. But not all stops a bus makes are within city limits.

One trouble spot, Rump said, is on S. Broad Street. The road there still is four lanes.

“We’ve tried to get the police to watch it, but it’s in Dodge County,” he said.

Fremont bus drivers cover routes from about 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That includes picking up and dropping off students from school as well as various programs throughout the day.

Rump supervises 15 drivers and 11 bus aides as well as a crew of backup drivers.

He said all drivers need to know the law about school buses.

When a bus is about to pick up students, the driver will operate a set of flashing yellow lights to warn drivers to use caution.

When a student is ready to come onto or leave the bus, the driver will open the door, activating the set of flashing red lights and the stop arm. In Nebraska, it is unlawful to pass a school bus that has its stop arm out with two exceptions -- when the bus is on the other side of a

divided highway or when it is in a school bus loading zone.

“Red means stop,” Rump said.

“We don’t open the door until a kid is present,” he added. “When (the drivers) open the door, the stop lights come on.”

Rump is appreciative of the support of the Fremont Police. He know officers have ticketed drivers who have gone around a stopped school bus.

“They have to be there and see it,” he said.

The goal is to get students to school safely.

National Bus Safety Week is Oct. 19-25, but Rump said education about the law is something that can be addressed any time.

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An Observer
Oct 8, 2008 1:03 PM
All drivers should know the rule and there is NO EXCUSE. Safety first! However, I am surprised that the buses do not start the flashing lights before they stop?? In doing that, it would warn the drivers that they are about to stop and let kids off or pick them up. I've lived in other large cities and their buses are equipped to start flashing before the bus actually stops....and the the stop sign arm come out. Perhaps the Fremont school system should check that out. Food for thought.
william
Oct 8, 2008 1:49 PM
very dangerous stopping a bus in heavy traffic and then go a mile or so and do it again up hill or down hill for trucks is very dangerous . id like to no whos idea that was . and then u might have to wait for the child to come out of the house . there should be a better way .thats like playing in traffic.
a.b
Oct 8, 2008 1:55 PM
i think this will work alote better with the flashing ligths and also would be a great idea if the bus driver honks his horn loud if the driver doesnt stop.so that way the person is aware of stopping and not do it again.
B
Oct 8, 2008 8:19 PM
I think student safety is of course number one. However the other drivers are not the only problem the bus drivers are not perfect. The discription of what happens when a child is being picked up is not always the way it is. I have come upon, on more than one occassion, a bus stopped, arm out, red lights flashing and been stuck stopped behind them for 10 minutes before the kid even comes out of the house. I can understand why people are getting fed up and going around the buses.
JP
Oct 8, 2008 9:56 PM
This is a really scary thing. I am really glad to see this being publicized. One day, when I have children I won't want some oblivious driver endangering my children. There are enough of those on the highways.

People just need to make themselves aware of what is going on around them, when they are driving.
Jake J
Oct 9, 2008 8:57 AM
in regards to the south broad trouble spot, it sounds like the police dont really care, i KNOW they can go out as far as ridge road, where the 4 lane pretty much begins
correction
Oct 9, 2008 10:05 AM
in response to Jake J - that is incorrect. The city police do not have traffic jurisdiction outside of the city limits of Fremont. that line is at Cloverly on south Broad. And for that matter they do care, they just can't be everywhere at once!
JP
Oct 9, 2008 1:41 PM
To Jake J-

I don't think it is fair to blame the police at all. This falls on the responsibilities of the public. People just need to drive intelligently. Everyone is always in such a big rush.
whatever
Oct 9, 2008 10:02 PM
I would like to know what qualifies someone to be picked up at their house? When i was a kid we had to be at the bus stop to be picked up and the bus did not wait. If you were not there you missed the bus. Maybe a bus stop around the corner instead of picking up at the front door on a busy street could solve some problems.
Hey Whatever
Oct 10, 2008 3:17 PM
those kids picked up at their home are handicapped children. that is what qualifies them.
CM
Oct 11, 2008 7:31 PM
When you approach a stopped bus with the sign out..PLEASE just stop, don't pull over to the curb.

I was following a full sized van a few years ago and could not see there was a school bus ahead of us instead of stopping the van pulled off to the side of the road. I was almost half way pass the bus before I could come to a stop. Thankfully the children where not crossing the street.