Summer has once again gone by too fast, and — to the chagrin of Maryland’s school-aged children — school is back in session.
For Maryland kids and parents, back to school means adjusting to new schedules, getting used to new teachers, reconnecting with classmates, and growing up just a little bit more. For Maryland motorists, it also means being aware of school buses back on the road and children walking to and from school, moving quickly on and off the sidewalks.
Unfortunately, in the U.S., school transportation-related traffic accidents account for an average 111 deaths a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Young pedestrians are particularly vulnerable: Between 2012 and 2021, more than half (53 percent) of school-aged pedestrians killed in school transportation-related crashes were between 5 and 10 years old.
Maryland school zones and school buses have a specific set of traffic regulations to ensure school children get to and from school safely. Let’s take a look at some current Maryland traffic laws designed to protect school children on and off the school bus and in and around school zones.
Stop for School Buses: According to the Maryland State Police, drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus in both directions when its stop arm is extended and red lights are flashing. In 2023, Harford County, Maryland, installed “stop arm cameras” on the sides of 100 school buses to catch violators of the red lights flashing law – resulting in a $125 fine. According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), more than 17 million stop-arm violations occur in the U.S. each year — putting far too many students at risk.
We’ve all seen cars who pass a school bus when it is stopped, either unaware of the law or too busy doing other things, oblivious to their surroundings. This law applies to single-lane and multi-lane streets as well as divided highways. If in doubt, just stop! Keep a safe distance from any school bus, and be prepared for students to do the unexpected, like dart into the street.
Slow Down in School Zones: According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, a “School Area” includes streets within one-half mile of and surrounding a school building or property, “within which motor vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle traffic is substantially generated or influenced by the school.” Maryland uses automated speed enforcement (speed cameras) in school zones to deter drivers from speeding; the speed limit in school zones, including the immediate neighborhood streets, is typically 35 miles per hour or less. Once a driver sees a “School Zone” sign, they should slow way down and obey the speed limit.
Children walking to and from school – and getting on and off school buses — are often preoccupied with their friends and not thinking about traffic. It’s our job as adults and responsible Maryland drivers to be wary of them and help protect them from injury.
Have a safe and happy school year!
Sources:
Traffic Safety Facts 2012 – 2021 Data
School-Transportation-Related Crashes
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) June 2023
Stop For School Buses: What Are The Laws In Maryland?
Maryland State Police Press Release Aug. 24, 2023
Maryland Transportation Code § 21-803.1 (2023)
Justia U.S. Law collected online Sept. 6, 2024
100 school buses in Harford County equipped with stop arm cameras
WMAR-2 News Feb. 15, 2023