FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News) – As students across North Texas return to school today, MedStar is urging drivers and students to implement safety habits to prevent accidents.
The Tarrant County Ambulance Service said it saw a significant jump in auto-pedestrian crashes last year when school started, responding to 13 pediatric auto-pedestrian accidents between August 20th and September 19th compared to five this July.
To help prevent those types of accidents, Medstar is offering tips for students riding the bus, walking to school and for drivers who are now sharing the road with student pedestrians and school buses.
When it comes to school buses, Medstar urges parents to teach their kids the SAFE plan:
Stay five steps away from the curb.
Always wait for the bus driver to tell you when to get on.
Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.
Exit the bus when it stops, looking left right left, and take five steps away from the bus toward the curb.
The first responder service also has some tips for drivers.
When behind a bus, Medstar wants drivers to allow a greater distance between it than when driving behind a car and remember not to pass a bus when it is stopped.
It’s illegal in 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
Safety experts say the area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. Thus, it’s important for both drivers and students to be on alert.
Students in Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth returned to school Monday.
Click here for more safety tips.
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