Drivers be on alert: School buses are coming

BURLINGTON, Ky. - More school buses will hit Tri-State roads as the first day of class begins for several school districts.

School officials are reminding local drivers to give themselves extra time in the mornings as a result.

"Cars today if they saw a big yellow school bus going down the road, they'd try their best to get around it as soon as possible. We're lucky we haven't had as many accidents in Boone County," said Sunny Sullivan, a school bus driver in the Boone County School District. "They need to pay attention to what they're doing, and please do not talk on their cell phones."

When should drivers stop for the bus?

In Kentucky, if there are four lanes of traffic, only the two lanes going the same direction as the bus has to stop when the directed to do so. However, if there are three or less lanes, all lanes must stop-- no matter what the direction.

Helen Cottongim is the safety coordinator for buses within Boone County Schools. She gave an example of her speech for students every year:

"[Bus drivers] can see if once you started to cross the street, a car was coming, and it wasn't going to stop for the stop arm. They would be able to see that, and they would be able to stop you, so always stay in eye contact with your driver," Cottongim said.

Cottongim's advice goes for all drivers. It is important to keep an eye on the bus driver to see when he or she is directing children to cross the street.

Remember, all buses stop at railroad crossings, and in Kentucky, buses can not turn right on red expect if there is a yield sign.