Twin Lakes Area schools are back in session for the 2017-2018 school year this week. Cotter, Norfork, Flippin, Bruno-Pyatt, Calico Rock and Viola are in session beginning Monday. As the school year approaches, student safety in and around school buses becomes a priority for schools, parents and motorists. To promote school bus safety, the Arkansas Department of Education and Arkansas Association of Pupil Transportation are launching the fifth annual “Flashing Red. Kids Ahead.” school bus safety campaign.
While the three-week campaign begins today and concludes Friday, August 25, school bus safety is important year-round. According to the ADE, this school year more than 7,000 school buses will transport approximately 350,000 Arkansas students to and from school and school-related activities.
Motorists are reminded that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing, as students are present.On April 26, 2016, school bus drivers in 100 Arkansas school districts reported 706 instances of motorists illegally passing a school bus. Act 2128 of 2005, also known as Isaacs Law, increased the fines, penalties and punishment for anyone found guilty of illegally passing a stopped school bus.
The “Flashing Red. Kids Ahead.” campaign provides resources, including bus safety videos, a copy of Isaacs Law, safety tips for parents and fliers, as well as media outreach resources for districts to use. To access the resources, visit the Flashing Red. Kids Ahead. webpage at Arkansas Dept. of Education.
ADE encourages students and schools to get involved in the campaign by sharing videos and pictures of why school bus safety is important. Videos and pictures can be posted to social media using #2017FlashingRed. If the videos and pictures are posted on other sites, students and schools are encouraged to send a link to mailto:ade.communications@arkansas.gov?subject= for possible sharing on ADE sites.
Remember: Flashing Red. Kids Ahead.
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