To the editor:

Lawrence Public schools resume on Wednesday, Aug. 17, which means First Student’s yellow buses will be back on the roads. School buses are the safest way for students to get to and from school. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are 23 times safer than passenger cars and 10 times safer than walking.

There is an entire ecosystem of safety around school buses. This includes road signs, traffic laws, the size, weight and construction of the bus, and the skill of the driver. It also includes you.

In Kansas passing a stopped school bus while its red lights are flashing and “STOP” arm is extended is illegal and subject to a $300 fine It’s estimated more than 70,000 drivers break this law every school day in the U.S., causing close calls and injuries to children. It is crucial that we all stay alert as students prepare to board or exit the bus.

School buses use yellow flashing lights to indicate they are preparing to stop. Bus drivers use red flashing lights and an extended stop sign to signal that the bus is stopped and that children are getting on or off. You are required by law to stop on both sides of a two-way street or undivided (by median or other barrier) highway.

All of us in our community play a crucial role in ensuring students get to school safely. Be aware, be alert and be safe this new school year.