Sacramento, California Local News
‘We call them, ‘run the reds”: With start of school, bus drivers prepare for cars passing illegally
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With school districts preparing for a new school year, thousands of school buses will also be back on the road.School districts and police departments are warning drivers to follow the rules of the road.When a school bus is stopped, drivers shouldn’t pass by them in either direction.But many drivers don’t know the rule or decide to completely ignore it.A report by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services recorded that one day in April, more than 12,000 drivers were seen passing a school bus illegally.”When you see this bus moving in the morning and afternoon, remember there could be dozens of children on it,” said Isaac Gonzalez, founder of Slow Down Sacramento.He said it’s an all too common sight when school is back in session.”When a school bus comes to a stop and turns on red lights, state law says you must stop. However tempting it may be, don’t go around a school bus,” Gonzalez.But people still do.”We call it,’They run the reds.’ That’s what we call it,” said Lupe Villalba. Villalba is a school bus driver in the Lodi Unified School District.Villalba said bus drivers have already seen impatient drivers breaking the law.”Within the district, at least one driver will see at least one driver running the reds on a daily basis,” she said. Villalba said school bus drivers are also trained to stay alert when behind the wheel and do have cameras recording lawbreakers.”Our drivers are trained to be aware of the surroundings at all times,” she said. “We are always checking every mirror and every student.”When a driver comes upon a school bus, there will first be yellow warning lights 200 feet before the driver actually makes the stop. Red lights will then start flashing and the stop sign arm will come out.Drivers are required by law to stop for school buses in both directions or face a fine from $150 to $1,000 or even lose their driver’s license.Police departments are putting out warnings. Galt Police officers posted, “If you don’t stop for theirs, we’ll stop you with ours.””It’s our job as drivers to drive safe in school zones and be extra safe around school buses,” said Gonzalez.Lodi Unified School District is looking for full and part-time drivers.Apply to be a school bus driver here.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
With school districts preparing for a new school year, thousands of school buses will also be back on the road.
School districts and police departments are warning drivers to follow the rules of the road.
When a school bus is stopped, drivers shouldn’t pass by them in either direction.
But many drivers don’t know the rule or decide to completely ignore it.
A report by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services recorded that one day in April, more than 12,000 drivers were seen passing a school bus illegally.
“When you see this bus moving in the morning and afternoon, remember there could be dozens of children on it,” said Isaac Gonzalez, founder of Slow Down Sacramento.
He said it’s an all too common sight when school is back in session.
“When a school bus comes to a stop and turns on red lights, state law says you must stop. However tempting it may be, don’t go around a school bus,” Gonzalez.
But people still do.
“We call it,’They run the reds.’ That’s what we call it,” said Lupe Villalba.
Villalba is a school bus driver in the Lodi Unified School District.
Villalba said bus drivers have already seen impatient drivers breaking the law.
“Within the district, at least one driver will see at least one driver running the reds on a daily basis,” she said.
Villalba said school bus drivers are also trained to stay alert when behind the wheel and do have cameras recording lawbreakers.
“Our drivers are trained to be aware of the surroundings at all times,” she said. “We are always checking every mirror and every student.”
When a driver comes upon a school bus, there will first be yellow warning lights 200 feet before the driver actually makes the stop. Red lights will then start flashing and the stop sign arm will come out.
Drivers are required by law to stop for school buses in both directions or face a fine from $150 to $1,000 or even lose their driver’s license.
Police departments are putting out warnings.
Galt Police officers posted, “If you don’t stop for theirs, we’ll stop you with ours.”
“It’s our job as drivers to drive safe in school zones and be extra safe around school buses,” said Gonzalez.
Lodi Unified School District is looking for full and part-time drivers.
Apply to be a school bus driver here.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
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