The Greatest Risk Of Returning To School Is Approaching And Leaving The Bus

As summer comes to an end, you will notice a significant increase in traffic as children return to school. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports "For twenty-three million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus."

With increased traffic there needs to come increased awareness from all who share the road.


Safety Tips For Students

- When waiting for the bus, wait in the designated area only. Make sure to stay clear away from the street so the bus has plenty of room. Mirrors and other parts may surpass the dimensions of the vehicle and can easily strike a bystander.

- When entering and exiting the bus, ALWAYS cross in FRONT of the driver. All buses are equipped with rear stop sign to impede traffic behind from passing. With that being said, look both ways.

- Never hang out of a window or throw anything from it. The smallest object could cause a catastrophic accident on the road.

Safety Tips For Motorists

- Whether you have children or not, familiarize yourself with school zone rules. Always obey the reduced speed signs. Many states enforce school zone laws even when school isn’t in session.

- Never pass a bus that is stopped and letting children on/off. All school buses are equipped with a stop sign on the rear and it is to be obeyed as any permanently fixed sign.

Make sure to always buckle up and obey traffic laws. Be aware of the time. If it is morning or afternoon there is a good chance students are in the area.

Astronaut Loses Life In Jet Ski Accident

Sadly, retired NASA astronaut Captain Alan Poindexter was killed after a jet ski operated by his son, Zachary, collided with the jet ski Capt. Poindexter was riding. Reports stated that both of the jet skis were in motion when the astronaut suddenly stopped. His son did not see him and the jet skis collided, striking the Captain.

Regrettably, this type of accident is not uncommon. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated in a 2011 report that personal water crafts were involved in 22% of reported boating accidents. Of those accidents, 7 fatalities were reported.

It's important to follow safety rules and regulations when operating one of these vessels.

Water Ski Regulations from The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

• The operator of a vessel towing someone on skis or another aquaplaning device must either have an observer, in addition to the operator, on board who is attendant to the actions of the skier or have and use a wide-angle rear-view mirror.
• No one may ski or aquaplane between the hours of 1/2 hour past sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise.
• No one may water ski or use another aquaplaning device unless they are wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved non-inflatable Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable personal flotation devices are prohibited for skiing/aquaplaning.
• No one may ski or use another aquaplaning device while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
• The operator of a vessel towing a skier may not pull the skier close enough to a fixed object or another vessel that there is risk of collision.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, or if a loved one has been killed, contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey B. Sexton any time, day or night.