Sapphire Coast Buslines is calling on the public to prioritise the safety of children when driving through school zones and passing buses.
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Managing director of Sapphire Coast Buslines Jamie Klemm said she wants motorists who are driving near a bus to put themselves in the position of its driver or the young passengers.
Ms Klemm is speaking out as part of Sapphire Coast Buslines’ participation in the Be Bus Aware campaign.
The NSW Centre for Road Safety initiative aims to reduce death and injury on and around buses.
In 2017 there have already been 11 fatalities on Australian roads which involve buses and Ms Klemm said even that relatively low number is far too many.
The Be Aware Bus campaign which will run in the last week of Term 2 and the first week of Term 3 is aimed at increasing awareness of the laws around bus flashing lights for motorists and safe crossing procedures for parents and families.
“A lot of these road rules have been introduced over time and when many of the parents of these children got their licences these laws didn’t exist, so it is important that we educate the community,” Ms Klemm said.
The laws that Ms Klemm said can cause confusion are that buses have right of way when pulling out and a 40km/h speed limit applies when bus lights flash.
Ms Klemm emphasised the importance of this rule in the local area due to the number of non-designated bus stops on the rural roads.
The campaign also highlights the importance on supervising children and holding their hands when walking to and from the bus stop and when crossing the road.