by Sgt. Jesse Grabow
Columnist

Question: My child’s bus stop is on the highway. There have been a number of events / narrow escapes with vehicles not stopping when they should. What can be done?

Answer: I would be wary of leaving younger children, alone, at a bus stop on a major highway, particularly, as mornings are becoming darker. Contact your School District regarding routes and stops. School Districts have Transportation Committees that deal with these issues. There may be a few years where parents will have to remain waiting with their children.

Teach your children to wait for vehicles to stop completely (lead vehicle in each lane) before they cross to load the bus, when possible. Never assume a vehicle is stopping or the driver sees them, so try to explain to them how to make eye contact with drivers. If a school bus stop arm violation does occur, call 911, even if you have only obtained minimal information. Taking action, writing a citation and educating the violator is our best defense.

The basics:

• Do not pass a bus when the stop arm/ red lights are activated.

• Stop at least 20 feet away, remaining stopped until the stop arm is retracted and the lights are off.

• When amber pre-warning lights are on you cannot pass on the right of the bus and your intent should be to stop as the stop arm is soon to be extended. The amber lights are warning you of the legal stop sign.

• Passing the bus on the right hand side or door side if children are still on the street, road or adjacent sidewalk elevates the violation from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor.

• You do not need to stop if the bus is on a parallel roadway if separated by a safety isle or safety zone (grass median, concrete divider).

If these rules are by-passed things become unpredictable and the safety of our children compromised.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. (Or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us)