New School Bus Safety Procedure January 1st

Post date: Dec 15, 2015 8:27:36 PM

During the summer legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a new law regarding student school bus safety. Beginning January 1, 2016, all school bus drivers will begin using hand signals to students as they get on or off the school bus. The school bus driver must hold out his/her hand as a signal to stop and wait at every stop. When traffic is clear, the school bus driver will give a thumbs-up to the student indicating the road is safe to cross. This procedure is to be used at all times.

In preparation for the implementation of this law, Yancey County Schools began using these signals at the beginning of this school year. This has allowed both drivers and students additional time to become accustomed to this process.

YCS Transportation Director Derek Murphy stated, “Our drivers and students have adjusted very well to this new procedure,” adding, “We are always looking for ways to keep our students safer during transportation.”