News : Public reminded about the importance of safety with bus traffic : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

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Public reminded about the importance of safety with bus traffic

By Bill Vander Weele

Sidney Herald
Published on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 7:08 PM MDT

Bill Vander Weele | Sidney Herald
There is often plenty of traffic in Sidney High School’s oval before and after the school day.

Although Rick Verhasselt, transportation supervisor for Sidney’s schools, was pleased with the results of the first full week of school, residents and students should be aware of potential safety concerns.

Right now, Sidney Middle School students are being picked up by buses on Central Avenue because of construction around the school.

“I don’t like parking on Central Avenue very much,” Verhasselt said. “The public needs to kinda watch for us there.”

He, however, feels this may be the last week that buses will have to make pick ups on Central Avenue.

A situation that has been a concern in previous years is when parents park in the fire lane in the high school’s oval before and after school. This results in bad traffic flow when buses try to maneuver through the area.

“It’s hasn’t been too bad this year,” Verhasselt said.

Overall, Verhasselt encourages the public to watch for the bus lights and students on the roads.

He adds that students have behaved well on the buses so far this year.

“It’s early yet,” Verhasselt said. “The drivers stay on that pretty good.”

If a student misbehaves on the bus, they usually are required to sit close to the driver. A second offense has the student or parent talk to Verhasselt about the problem. The next step is getting the school principal involved.

“The last resort is we kick them off for a couple of days,” Verhasselt said. “I haven’t had to do that for a couple of years.”

editor@sidneyherald.com

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Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Sidney Herald.

Sam wrote on Sep 14, 2010 9:23 PM:

" I love it when I get to follow the bus to school and watch all the children run up and down the bus and jump seat to seat. when I was young, the driver wouldhave stopped and made your a.. walk the rest of the way to school. "

Glad to see wrote on Sep 12, 2010 6:29 PM:

" Someone else mentioning that the bus drivers themselves need to be more careful also! I've witnessed them speeding to get to school to pick up kids. I've had to slam on my brakes to make way for them when I had the right of way! They do scare me sometimes when I think they do carry children on those buses! They need to be especially careful, they don't always get right of way just because they are bigger! "

wrote on Sep 11, 2010 11:32 AM:

" I think it is great the way you remind others about the busses, but what about some reminders to our bus drivers. How about some defensive driving courses. It sickens me the way our bus drivers drive around here, especially since they are trusted with our children. I was in total shock last year when I got rearended by a bus while we both were stopped. I stopped to clear traffic from the opposite direction when the bus driver behind me decided she was done waiting and hit me in my new car! Only to find out that this wasn't the first time it had happened that month. Then she tried to lie and say she didn't hit me! I don't care if those behind the wheel of that bus think they are bigger and shouldn't have to follow the same road rules as the rest of us drivers. You should follow them more carefully (you have our children on board!)You can scold other drivers all you want but the bottom line is you are the ones that should practice more safety, it comes with the responsibility of driving the bus. "

Sids wrote on Sep 10, 2010 10:19 PM:

" And the bus drivers should set a example. Alot of them think they are king of the road before and after school. "

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