Back-to-School Safety Starts Behind the Wheel

Soon, yellow buses will return to Tennessee roads, making frequent stops along the same routes traveled each day by broadband technicians, contractors and other industry employees. Behind every flashing red light is a child heading to school or returning home.

School buses are among the safest vehicles on the road, but children face greater risk while approaching or leaving them. That makes this a good time to refresh your staff on road safety, especially employees who spend much of the day driving through service areas and between job sites. Remind drivers to maintain at least a three-second following distance, put phones away and watch closely near bus stops. Children may move unexpectedly or enter areas where drivers cannot see them.

In Tennessee, motorists must stop when approaching a stopped school bus from either direction on an undivided roadway. Drivers traveling in the opposite direction generally do not stop when a physical median or barrier divides the highway. Companies should confirm current state and local requirements before conducting training.

Our friends at Telecom Insurance Group have made that training easier by sharing a presentation, video recap, driver safety graphics and a state-by-state overview of school bus passing laws (PDF) with TNBA members. Organizations are welcome to add their own logo, use the materials in staff meetings, share them with fleet and field employees or adapt them for social media.

A few extra seconds of patience can help every child arrive safely.