KALISPELL – A Flathead school district is leading the statewide initiative for school bus safety as National School Bus Safety week kicks off.
The Child Safety Network has declared October as National School Bus Safety month and the National Association for Pupil Transportation has declared this week as National School Bus Safety Week.
The Whitefish School District, in partnership with state leaders and the Montana Department of Justice are reminding motorists of their responsibility in keeping students safe by following the rules of bus safety.
Whitefish Schools Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt says the district is pleased to join partners across Montana to address the importance of school bus safety.
Attorney General Tim Fox encourages all Montanans to “re-evaluate your driving habits and ensure we are staying alert, focused, and mindful of school buses on the road.”
During School Bus Safety Week, school districts are encouraged to share bus safety best practices and laws with parents and the community as a whole.
Students are at the greatest risk when approaching or leaving a school bus.
Montana has many four-lane highways that include bus stops where motorists usually need to stop when a bus stops and flashes its lights.
Four-lane highways can be confusing however, because the rules change with the layout of the road.
Whenever a bus stops with flashing lights, all motorists going in the same direction always needs to stop.
For motorists traveling in the opposite direction, they may continue moving only if the highway has no divider, like a pit, median or barrier between traffic and the other lanes.
