WYOMISSING, Pa. — School buses will soon be back out on the roads, and police say after a summer without them, Monday morning will be an adjustment for everyone.
“We want to remember that school’s been out all summer, so kids especially, even us, we’re in our routine that doesn’t involve the kids there,” Wyomissing Police Chief John Phillips said.
However, that routine is about to change.
“When [buses] have their red flashing lights on or their stop arms extended, we need to come to a complete stop and wait until those lights have been turned off and their stop arms are back in until it’s safe to continue,” Phillips said.
To see what’s behind all of that, 69 News met Matt Comfort at the Berks County Intermediate Unit.
“This is our stop arm to protect the students from walking around the vehicle to ensure that the driver can see them from their driver’s seat,” said Comfort, assistant director of operations at BCIU.
The arm comes out. The red lights start flashing.
“They have their flashing red lights that other motorists should be aware of. When those lights are flashing, they should be prepared to stop, because students are loading on the school bus,” Comfort said.
And if someone doesn’t stop, the bus may be watching.
“We have interior cameras and exterior cameras. We have a system that will actually take a picture of the license plates that drive through the red lights,” Comfort said.
But drivers aren’t the only ones getting a reminder — students are too.
“Use those crosswalks. When you cross the street, take off your earbuds so you can not only see traffic but hear the traffic. Make eye contact with the driver so you know that they see you,” Phillips said.
Police say drivers should give themselves some extra time Monday morning as more buses, more kids, and more traffic will be back on the roads.
