For Immediate Release

Monday, Aug. 10, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Franklin Police Offer School Bus Safety Tips

FRANKLIN — With a new academic year right around the corner, Chief Stephan Semerjian and the Franklin Police Department would like to remind the community about several safety practices for riding and exiting school buses.

Students in first grade through twelfth will begin school on Sept. 2, while kindergartners will start on Sept. 3.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that approximately 400,000 students in the state are transported to school by buses every year.

School buses are a relatively safe form of transportation. DPH reports that the majority of related injuries occur to pedestrians boarding or exiting a bus who are hit by passing traffic or while in one of the bus driver’s blind spots. Children ages 4 to 7 are at the highest risk of injury.

Chief Semerjian suggests that parents follow safety procedures outlined by DPH to prevent accidents this school season.

• Educate children on safe bus riding and walking behaviors when getting on and off the bus.
• Teach young children to take five giant steps (10 feet) in front of the bus and to wait for the driver’s signal before crossing.
• Develop appropriate bus pick-up/drop-off policies.
• Closely supervise children under age 10 who must cross the street after exiting the bus.

“Please talk to your children about safe practices when on the bus,” Chief Semerjian said. “We always urge drivers to be extra cautious during school hours, but the more children are aware of the potential dangers on the road, the greater the likelihood is that we can prevent tragedies.”

The fine for illegally passing a school bus is a maximum of $200. Repeat offenders may have their licenses suspended.

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