school bus Archives - Comedy Defensive Driving®

School Bus Safety

Daun Thompson — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 22:23:33 +0000

School is back in session. And, just like past generations, kids were “tricked” into being excited about going back to school by getting new school clothes and supplies. Many kids will be walking to school, while some will be dropped off blocks away from school traffic and others will be let out in the middle of the road, hoping to survive for another school day. School zones will be active and buses will be present. Will you be practicing school bus safety?

Passing a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign out is against the law and carries a hefty fine. In the Lone Star State, the fine is a whopping $1250.00 and Judges will not allow you to take a defensive driving class to have the ticket dismissed and the fine reduced. Therefore, you would have to not only pay the entire fine amount, but the points would go on your driving record making your insurance increase considerably. Most drivers are aware that you must stop behind the bus, while many still pass the bus when these warning lights are activated. It is estimated that over 10 million drivers illegal pass school buses every year. The fine for this has not only increased if issued by a police officer, but many buses have been equipped with cameras for this reason. For economical reasons alone, one would think that everyone would stop behind a stopped school bus. Perhaps the issue here is not only respecting and valuing the lives of other people’s children, but when it’s really broken down for you (which I am going to do here if you read on), buses are much more valuable to us and should be respected for saving lives, fuel and air pollution.

EDUCATION: Taking the bus decreases truancy and increases the likelihood of children doing well in school. If half the battle is showing up for school, the school bus is helping us win the battle.
ENVIRONMENTAL and ECONOMICAL: School buses keep over 17 million cars off roads each year. One bus carries the equivalent of 36 cars. This saves families approximately 62 billion miles of driving, 2.6 billion gallons of fuel and 56.5 billion pounds of CO2.
SAVING LIVES: Students are 70% more likely to get to school safely if they ride a bus, rather than in a car. School bus drivers are the most highly trained, tested and scrutinized drivers on the road.

Since passing vehicles cause an estimated 2/3 of school bus loading/unloading fatalities, here is a wee bit of information to keep kids safe.
• More school-aged pedestrians are killed from 7-8 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. than any other time of the day.
• The Danger Zone: Motorists should not be within 10 feet radius around all sides of a school bus. A safe stop distance away from a school bus should be up to 25 feet when stop arm is out and red lights are flashing. Slow down when the yellow lights are flashing and prepare to stop. Do not attempt to pass the bus. Oncoming cars must drop speeds to 20mph or less. When stop arm is out, every driver behind the bus must stop. Oncoming cars must stop if there is only a painted line or a split/divide in the median (a divided highway will depend on certain situations).
So it’s critical that we learn and follow the laws pertaining to school buses in our own state.
You can find this information at http://www.nasdpts.org/Operations/documents/State_Laws_Regarding_Passing_School_Buses.pdf

Take a minute and educate yourself about these important laws.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

School Bus Safety – Comedy Defensive Driving

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A Stopped School Bus – Child Safety and Prevention

Daun Thompson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 18:21:23 +0000

I recently wrote to Jeff Rossen, the television journalist for NBC news. Most know him from his Rossen Reports where he reports the latest safety issues, common myths and survival tips. As a parent and a defensive driving instructor, I would like to see a report that will educate the public about stopping for a school bus with the stop arm out and the red lights flashing. Most drivers are aware that you must stop behind the bus, while many still pass the bus when these warnings are activated. I spoke to a student yesterday who said his friend counted 88 vehicles in one day alone that passed his bus when they should have stopped. Not surprising, since it is estimated that over 10 million drivers illegal pass school buses every year. And what about stopping on the other side of the median, traveling in the opposite direction? The fine for this has been increased to over one thousand dollars if issued by a police officer. And many buses have been equipped with cameras for this reason which can be up to a three hundred dollar fine. For economical reasons alone, one would think that everyone would stop behind a stopped school bus. Perhaps the issue here is not only respecting and valuing the lives of other people’s children, but when it’s really broken down for you (which I am going to do here if you read on), buses are much more valuable to us and should be respected for not only saving lives of children, but also for fuel conservation and air pollution.

EDUCATION: Taking the bus decreases truancy and increases the likelihood of children doing well in school. If half the battle is showing up for school, the school bus is helping us win the battle.

ENVIRONMENTAL and ECONOMICAL: School buses keep over 17 million cars off roads each year. One bus carries the equivalent of 36 cars. This saves families approximately 62 billion miles of driving, 2.6 billion gallons of fuel and 56.5 billion pounds of CO2.

SAVING LIVES: Students are 70% more likely to get to school safely if they ride a bus, rather than in a car. School bus drivers are the most highly trained, tested and scrutinized drivers on the road. Since passing vehicles cause an estimated 2/3 of school bus loading/unloading fatalities, here is a wee bit of information to keep kids safe.

• More school-aged pedestrians are killed from 7-8 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. than any other time of the day.
• The Danger Zone: Motorists should not be within 10 feet radius around all sides of a school bus. A safe stop distance away from a school bus should be up to 25 feet when stop arm is out and red lights are flashing. Slow down when the yellow lights are flashing and prepare to stop. Do not attempt to pass the bus. Oncoming cars must drop speeds to 20mph or less. When stop arm is out, every driver behind the bus must stop. Oncoming cars must stop if there is only a painted line or a split/divide in the median (a divided highway will depend on certain situations).

So it’s critical that we learn and follow the laws pertaining to school buses in our own state. You can find this information at http://www.nasdpts.org/Operations/documents/State_Laws_Regarding_Passing_School_Buses.pdf

Take a minute and educate yourself about these important laws. And be active in your community about educating others about your state’s school bus laws.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

A Stopped School Bus – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Back To School

Daun Thompson — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 04:06:37 +0000

School’s back in session. If you have little ones, you already know this and your mornings are more harried lately. You’re trying to get the kids to school on time, while trying not to get a speeding ticket, especially in a school zone. You don’t want to be calling your boss to tell him you’re going to be late. And, you especially don’t want to be on your phone while you’re in a school zone. Be extra careful for those stopped buses, too. There’s so much more to be looking out for now when it comes to back to school driving. You’re better off to just be paying extra attention while school is in session. All of these moving violations carry a hefty fine. Too many of these violations on your driving record could result in having your driver license revoked. Now, how will you get those kiddos to school if that happens? Perhaps Uber or Lyft to get back to school?

Children will be distracted too. Some are walking to school, while texting friends and not paying attention. You can expect to see them crossing the street, and not always at crosswalks. Some will exit the bus and run across the road. So, just be aware and don’t add your own distractions to the mix. Most school zones, anymore, become a one-way road situation for parents dropping off and picking up their children. You can bet that there will be police present, making sure that everyone is driving safely and obeying school zone laws. Even when you are not directly near the school, the school zone may extend beyond the point where you would expect it to end, since some kids are walking to school. And, where the school zone ends and the speed limit increases, make darned sure that your car passes the speed limit sign before you begin to accelerate, and not before you approach that sign. Passing a school bus with its red lights flashing, using a cell phone, speeding, not stopping for crossing guards all lead up to a really bad beginning of the school year.

And, if you really think about it, parents have already tricked their kids into being excited about going back to school by purchasing them new school clothes, backpacks, books, cool notebooks and accessories. They’re already going to find out on the first day of school that they were once again tricked into being excited about school. Just pay attention, and don’t make it worse for them. And, once you drop them off, you can go back home and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Back To School – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Update Regarding Seat Belts on School Buses

Daun Thompson — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 00:46:23 +0000

On September 16th, I wrote a blog about seat belts on school buses. Safety experts say it is a “no brainer.” Even young children know better. Since they are always correctly restrained in the back seat of their family vehicle, it’s just becomes a habit. They know that it’s safer. They feel safer. So, it must be terribly confusing for a child when they get on the school bus and there are no seat belts. Now, finally the Federal Government is changing their position and recommending there be seat belts in every school bus, nationwide. It’s about time! So here is the most recent update regarding seat belts on school buses.
Some school buses already have them, but most don’t. And, although even Mark Rosekind, the Administrator of the NTSA (National Traffic Safety Administration) agrees that the safest way for a child to get to school is on that big yellow bus, many kids are killed and thousands are injured every year in school bus accidents. The NTSA doesn’t require seat belts on school buses. But now, NTSA is now taking action and officially declaring that seat belts save lives. And going even further by endorsing that there should be a 3 point restraint safety belt for every child on every bus. They are asking school districts to do it voluntarily and if not, rule making may follow. Also, eventually making it mandatory for a bus manufacturers to have seat belts standard on school buses. So, if the safest way to get to school is on that big yellow bus, wouldn’t safety belts make them even safer? Absolutely!
It’s definitely a huge step. But It’s not a mandate yet. It’s up to your local school district to budget it. But it is going to be expensive and experts worry that some districts won’t do it unless they are forced to. So the NTSA says they may have to do just that.
Parents and educators need to rally together within their own school districts to make school officials aware of the utmost importance of this matter.
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
**You can see Daun perform in November at the following comedy venues:
Sue Ellen’s – Dallas, Texas – Nov. 15
Escapade’s – Arlington, Texas – Nov. 20

Update Regarding Seat Belts on School Buses – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Child Safety

Daun Thompson — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 03:00:16 +0000

Child Safety is a serious issue and subject to serious consequences. Overtaking (passing) a school bus when its lights are flashing and the stop arm is out is, in most states, well over a $1,200 fine! Some school buses are now equipped with cameras for when the police aren’t present. Not having a child secured in a car seat or booster seat also dishes up some hefty fines, as well as cell phone use in an active school zone during school hours when children are present. And, if you don’t follow these current child safety rules, CPS (Child Protective Services) will babysit…..for free….for YEARS!
Both the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommend that small children under 2 years of age are safest when riding in a rear-facing car seat. Although the current law in most states require that an infant remain facing backwards until only 12 months old. It’s all about the neck, head or spinal injuries incurred when facing forward as opposed to the entire body absorbing the impact in a front or rear collision when facing backward.
Older children who have outgrown front facing car seats should ride in booster seats until the lap shoulder belt fits them. If the seat belt does not fit them properly in the booster seat, they need to be in a booster seat with a 5 point harness restraint. And children should remain in a booster seat until their 8th birthday “or” once they’ve reached 4’9” in height, whichever comes first. So, what this means is that your 4’1” grandmother doesn’t have to ride in a booster seat because she’s well over 8 years old.
And children under 13 should always ride in the back seat, according to both organizations. Although in some states it is legal to put them in the front seat at 9, and some at 12. My daughter rode in the back seat of the car until she was 17! Not for safety sake, she just didn’t want to be seen with me. Honestly, I don’t know how she learned how to cuss people out and flip them off from the back seat.
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Child Safety – Comedy Defensive Driving
See Daun Thompson LIVE! In Arlington, Texas – Escapades Lounge, October 23rd and Blue Mesa November 1st!

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Seat Belts on School Buses

Daun Thompson — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 02:47:45 +0000

I rode a school bus with no seat belts and giant potholes in the road when I was a kid. We’d fight over who got to ride in the last two seats. Those seats were like a ticket to Six Flags. I guess in a small town, kids do what they can for entertainment. Not much has changed regarding school bus safety since I was a kid. Only six states require seat belts on school buses. Those states are California, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New Jersey and New York.
Every year, kids are killed and thousands are injured in school bus accidents. Since I became a mother, it has always bothered me that school buses don’t have seat belts. I thought that perhaps the reason may be due to a possible fire or the bus crashing into a body of water, where small children may not be able to unbuckle their seat belts to evacuate the bus. After all, there are seat belts on airplanes. And they make darned sure you’re wearing it!
Traditional thinking is that “compartmentalization” is a good way (but not great) to keep kids safe. Since the seat back is high, it’s also padded and very close to the seat in front of it. So, if the bus is hit from the front or the back, those kids should stay within their own little “compartment.” What if the bus is hit from the side or if the bus rolls over? Well then, that is just not enough.
So, why don’t kids have seat belts in all buses? Maybe that will all change. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also says that seat belts make school buses safer. They have made a statement that, this fall, they will come out with some action.
Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Seat Belts on School Buses – Comedy Defensive Driving

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School Zones

Daun Thompson — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 02:08:56 +0000

If you’re completely awake when you’re driving to work (or school) tomorrow, you may notice that those yellow lights are flashing again in school zones. People will be rushing their kiddos to their academic prisons before the last bell rings. Kids will be running across the streets, and not always at the crosswalks. And police will be watching for drivers not paying attention. No cell phone use and no speeding will be your new rule for the next ten months. So, put down the cell phones, take your foot off the gas, and enjoy the 20mph trip through those school zones. Your phone and your car probably need a break anyway. And it’s a good time to relax and enjoy moving at a slow pace for a few minutes because the rest of your work day is going to be very hectic.

And don’t forget those school buses, hauling those screaming kids to their final destination. That’s one job I wouldn’t want, being a school bus driver. And don’t forget the rules there! Never pass a school bus if the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is out. Now, I’m sure those bus drivers tell those kids (at least the ones that they like, anyway) to go to the crosswalk and cross. But kids never listen. That’s why school zones are 20mph! If you were going any slower, you’d be in reverse! And, if you’re on the opposite side of the median, going the opposite direction, you must stop if your side is separated from the bus’ side of the road by a painted line or a divided median. A hefty fine that will surely bankrupt any ideas of affording to send your own kids to that private school you have been dreaming of.

Now, it’s the end of your busy day. You’ve put in your time at work and now it’s time to get home and relax. But wait! You’re going to be passing through some of those school zones yet again. So, ease back, do your 20mph, dinner can wait. You’ll get home just in time to eat, watch the news, go to bed, and get up tomorrow morning and go through the same routine.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

School Zones – Comedy Defensive Driving School

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Don’t Forget To Stop For A Camera Light

Daun Thompson — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 17:43:42 +0000

2014 started out with a bang. I received my first camera light ticket. In Dallas, they send you a bill with a photo of your vehicle and the license plate number and it is a $75 fine. There is also a link to their website where you can watch a video of the incident. I watched it 378 times, thinking I can’t believe I would have done this. And, the thing is, it may not have been me. It could have been someone else driving the car. I’ve loaned it to my daughter and my sister. I looked at my calendar to see where I was on that date and time in question to see if it truly was me who ran the light. The thing is, it doesn’t matter who was driving. It’s whomever the car is registered to that receives and is responsible for paying the fine. So, I just paid it. $75 is much less expensive than the whopping $378 fine that would have been issued by a police officer in Dallas. Typically, when someone gets a camera light ticket, they’re not blowing through a red light. Usually, they’re taking a right on red. They look to the left, there is no traffic coming, it’s safe, they “yielded,” but they didn’t come to a complete stop before turning. In order for your car to come to a complete stop, your car has to “settle.” They teach drivers education students now to stop for three seconds before taking a right on red, or stopping at a stop sign. Texas law does not require that you have to stop for a certain amount of “time,” but states that your car has to “settle.” Three seconds will ensure that your car has settled, though, so it’s not a bad habit to get into. So, don’t forget to stop for a camera light.

All that I know for certain about a camera light ticket is that it is a civil offense. Like a parking ticket, it will not go on your driving record. I have heard rumors that it will put a kibosh (that’s my favorite word for 2014) on your ability to renew your driver license if you don’t pay it. Of course, that can’t be true since it has nothing to due with your driver license. The fine is issued through your license plate number, which is your automobile registration. So, it is true that it will put a kibosh (there’s that word again) on your ability to get your annual registration renewed. Also, if you don’t pay the fine, it will go on your credit report, like not paying a bill. I do believe that much is true as I have two friends that work for a credit reporting bureau and they have said that they see camera light tickets on people’s credit reports quite often.

So, here’s the kicker…I’ve had several people in my comedy defensive driving class that have told me their insurance agent phoned them to let them know that their insurance rates have gone up because of their camera light ticket. I’m sure that insurance agencies keep tabs on their customer’s driving record to adjust insurance rates, but hadn’t even considered that agencies are also pulling credit reports as well. It was really baffling me…how do they know? So, that must be it. People aren’t paying their camera light tickets (both those they get at intersections where camera lights are present, i.e. photo enforced, and the camera tickets that are issued when passing a school bus when the red lights are flashing, i.e overtaking a school bus). In Texas, by the way, the fine for a camera light ticket is $75. And, if you don’t pay it, the late fee is $25. The fine for overtaking a school bus is $325. Which is much less expensive than the fine from someone in law enforcement (i.e. Johnny Law), which, as of September 1, in Texas, is a whopping $1,250.

So, if you get a camera light ticket or a school bus camera ticket, either pay the ticket or dispute it if you feel it is unjust. Don’t blow it off and let it go on your credit report. Just a little money saving tip from me to you for the new year.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist / Idea Mogul

Don’t Forget To Stop For A Camera Light – Comedy Defensive Driving

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