SAFETY FIRST
Area schools to take part in School Bus Safety Week
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Every year it is a ritual that elementary school students might find exciting while middle and high school students may be less impressed.
But practicing how to safely evacuate from a bus is part of School Bus Safety Week, which is under way now.
"While school bus crashes are not extremely common, thankfully, and the fact that school bus transportation is statistically the safest way to transport children, we still need to do our part in protecting the children who ride these buses to and from school," said Trooper Paul Gardner of the Iowa State Patrol's District 7 based in Webster County.
Doing that requires effort by other drivers, school districts and the students themselves.
Under Iowa law, a vehicle is required to slow down to 20 mph when meeting a school bus with yellow warning lights activated, according to Gardner.
He said drivers must come to a complete stop when the red lights and stop arm are activated. He said drivers cannot proceed until the stop arm is retracted and the red lights are turned off.
These rules are part of what is known as Kadyn's Law, named after a 7-year-old girl from Northwood who was crossing a street to get on a school bus and was struck and killed by a car going over 60 mph, even though the school bus had its red lights and stop arm activated.
The penalty for violating Kadyn's Law can include jail time, a suspended license and a $345 fine.
During the 2025-2026 school year, troopers in District 7 issued 61 citations for school bus passing violations.
School buses are inspected twice a year by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa State Patrol. Gardner said the Department of Education employs mechanics who check each vehicle's tires, brakes and chassis.
He said the troopers check each bus’s warning lights, emergency escapes such as the roof hatches, and safety equipment such as first-aid kits and fire extinguishers.
School buses can be placed out of service for things like stop arms that don't work, major mechanical issues and bald tires.
School districts will be given 30 days to fix less serious issues, such as replacing worn out windshield wipers.
Students riding the buses have some responsibility for their safety as well.
Gardner offered these tips for students riding school buses:
• Look both ways before crossing a street.
• Watch out for any other vehicles in the area.
• Follow the instructions of the bus driver.
• Don't try to pick up anything that falls under a bus.