School is back in session here in Knoxville, which means we all need to be much more aware while we’re on the roads. The increased number of children walking to and from school, combined with the number of school buses now on the roads, can make it more dangerous for kids and for drivers all around the state.

There have already been two school bus accidents in the last month: an overturned bus in Lincoln County and a bus that drove into a ditch in Maynardville. The first incident happened when the shoulder gave out underneath the bus, which had been pulled to the side of the road. The second incident involved a bus driver who over-corrected when a wheel went into a ditch in the side of the road. Three students were hurt in the first incident, but no one suffered any injuries in the second.

Keeping kids, drivers and passengers safe

Whether you are sharing the road with a school bus, or have small children who ride the bus to school, everyone can benefit from taking time out for safety.

1. Buckle up. Put your seatbelt on, and teach your children to do the same. Some school buses have seatbelts but many do not. Make sure to teach your kids to keep their hands, head and feet inside the bus at all times, and to remain seated while the bus is in motion.
2. Look both ways. It’s not just good advice for pedestrians; as a driver, you should look both ways before heading through an intersection, making a turn at a stop sign or entering a roadway. Your children should also look both ways when entering or exiting their buses, if they need to cross a road to do so.
3. Stay up front. It is really important to teach your children to cross in front of the bus. Bus drivers and other drivers may not be able to see your kids if they cross behind the vehicle, which puts everyone at risk.
4. Stop when the sign comes out. School buses come equipped with a stop sign, which should “pop out” from the side to alert you that they are stopping. Even if you don’t see any more children entering or exiting the bus, do not start driving again until the sign is gone and the bus starts to move. Make sure to drive slowly past the bus as well, in case the children don’t heed the warning to always cross in the front.
5. Meet the bus driver. On the first day of school, make it a point to meet the bus driver – or to at least stand with your children while they wait, so you can see what the driver looks like. You want to know who the person in charge of your child’s safety is.

So far, no one has been critically injured in a school bus accident in Knoxville this year, but last year Knoxville endured a tragedy when a texting bus driver caused the death of two students. If you think the driver may be engaging in risky behaviors, alert the school immediately. If you are involved in a crash, or if your child is hurt while on the school bus, Banks & Jones may be able to help. Please contact us to make an appointment with an experienced Knoxville bus accident attorney.