School bus safety is everyone’s responsibility
The space between your front doorstep and the school bus may be one of the most dangerous spaces your child will be on any given day of the week.
For every illegal pass comes the very real and dangerous risk that someone doesn’t walk away. Like 6-year-old Maryana Kranz, who was killed by a driver illegally passing a school bus on the right side in Plainfield back in February 2020. Her 4-year-old sister Hannah was also struck but survived. Maryana's family, who knew her as a “vibrant, energetic little girl that loved playing with her sisters and her many friends at school,” will always have to live with having their little girl taken from them.
Illegal passing of school buses has been on the rise. According to an annual survey released by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), the average rate of illegal bus passings has increased to 38% in the past year, already up from 30% in 2023. In Wisconsin, 1,223 bus drivers reported a total of 463 illegal passes on just one day of the year. If school bus drivers reported 463 illegal passes on just one day, imagine how many illegal passes take place in one week, one month, or during the entire school year. By the time students get out in May, that number is astronomically high.
So, what can be done? There are steps that can be taken to make sure your child is safe getting on and off the bus every day. Joe Burnett, the owner of Burnett Transit, which handles school bus services for Spencer, Colby and Abbotsford, said illegal passing of buses has been something bus drivers have long been aware of. To reduce the risk, he said, a general rule of thumb bus drivers try to follow is to make sure there are no other vehicles around when the bus completes a stop.
“Locally for us, it's a concern,” he said when asked about illegal passing and what drivers do to mitigate the risk. “In our company, we have buses stopping on two of the busiest roads in the county, Highway 29 and Highway 13. We try to be defensive drivers and let kids off when there are no cars. School buses can’t get hit by any cars or trucks if there aren’t any present. Our drivers do their best to not stop when there’s other vehicles around.”
Parents and children can also take steps to make sure they are safe at bus stops. Just like when crossing the street, it is important for children to look both ways when getting on and off the school bus. Paying attention to the bus driver is also important. Burnett said when completing stops, drivers will be watching from the driver’s seat for any oncoming traffic. They will signal for a child to come to the bus when they know it’s safe to enter the roadway or keep the child on the bus until a threat has passed if they’re being let off.
Parents, spend some time with your child before the school year begins to instill in them those good practices at the bus stop. You never know if such preparation could save their life.
Finally, this one is for the drivers. Be a respectable and responsible driver. The school year is starting, and no matter where you are going, school buses will be on the streets taking kids to and from school. If you want to avoid school bus traffic, plan your trip accordingly to avoid driving at times when buses are on their routes. Otherwise, be prepared to stop as soon as you see the amber lights flashing on the school bus. Remember, those lights are not a sign to speed up; they are a warning that a school bus is getting ready to drop off kids. Be an attentive driver, put down the phone and keep your eyes on the road. Your focus should only be on driving when you’re behind the wheel.
You may have places to go and things to do, but so do these kids. They want to get to school or back home safely just as much as you do. Pay attention and be aware of school bus flashing lights. Let the kids have a safe school year and STOP when you see a bus dropping off kids. Let’s decrease the number of illegal school bus passings and make sure everyone gets home safely.
The Tribune Record Gleaner editorial board consists of publisher Kris O’Leary, reporter Cheyenne Thomas and editor Valorie Brecht.
