Motorists beware - school has started Published Aug. 17, 2010 By Rick Myers 19th Airlift Wing ground safety manager LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- As summer is winding down, communities around Arkansas are observing that timeless annual ritual: the first day of school. It's a time when parents breathe a sigh of relief and students and teachers anticipate new beginnings and challenges. Unfortunately, the beginning of school is also a time when children are at increased risk of transportation-related injuries from pedestrian, bicycle, school bus, and motor vehicle crashes. The reason is fairly obvious; there are many more children on the road each morning and afternoon, as well as an overall change in motorists' patterns. Shorter daylight hours make it especially difficult to see young pedestrians and bicyclists. As schools open their doors, it's time for motorists to improve their traffic safety practices. The following tips can help make this a safe and happy school year for the whole community: Tips for motorists: Slow down. Obey all traffic laws and speed limits. Always stop for a school bus that has stopped to load and unload passengers. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm tells drivers the school bus is stopped to load and unload students. Arkansas State Law mandates when approaching a school bus that is stopped and red warning lights on the bus are activated, all approaching vehicles are required to stop. Regardless of where the driver may be in relation to the bus, whether it's in the same lane of traffic, opposing lane or at an intersection, traffic must come to a complete stop until the school bus turns-off the warning lights and begins to move. Drivers are not required to stop if the school bus is approaching along an opposite lane of travel separated by a median 20 feet or more in width. It's a felony to negligently cause the death of a person while passing a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading school children. Always exercise extreme caution at a school bus stop; even as the bus may be leaving the stop, children may still be crossing the street or roadway. Be alert and ready to stop. Watch for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic. When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch for children walking or biking to school. When driving in neighborhoods or school zones, watch for children who may be in a hurry to get to school and may not be thinking about getting there safely.