West Chester Area School District to Participate in Operation Safe Stop
Superintendent Dr. Alan Elko of the West Chester Area School District announced that the week of October 22-26 is National School Bus Safety Week.
WCASD has over 200 school buses which transport almost 17,000 students to and from school each school day and travel nearly 3.6 million miles a year.
“During School Bus Safety Week,” said Dr. Elko, “we want to inform the citizens of our district about our pupil transportation program. We are also asking for their cooperation in helping us to maintain or even improve our safety record. Our school bus drivers are doing a great job, but they need the cooperation of other motorists.”
One of the most common driver complaints is that other motorists frequently violate the school bus stop law. “Motorists are required to stop for stopped school buses that are displaying flashing red lights and a stop arm,” said Dr. Elko. “Sometimes the drivers are not fully alert and pass a stopped school bus. This is a very dangerous situation for the children, especially the younger ones who may not be watching traffic as closely as they should.”
On October 24, 2007, the West Chester Area School District, along with local law enforcement, Krapf Bus Companies and On the Go Kids will be participating in Operation Safe Stop.
What is Operation Safe Stop?
Operation Safe Stop is a proactive approach to educate the motoring public that passing a stopped school bus, when children are loading and unloading, is both dangerous and illegal. Law enforcement agencies, school transportation providers, pupil transportation associations and PennDOT have combined their efforts to raise public awareness about the potential consequences, and reduce the occurence of illegal school bus passes.
How Can I Participate?
Members of the general public are also welcome to participate in Operation Safe Stop on October 24th. Individuals who want to participate should complete forms to document violations of the bus passing law. The completed forms must be faxed to the Transportation Office (484-266-1181) no later than October 31st. An explanation of the Bus Stopping Law as well as a form to use in documenting violations can be accessed using the links below.
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