MSP outlines school, road, home tips for safety

WAKEFIELD - With Gogebic County schools opening on the day after Labor Day, Michigan State Police want drivers to be mindful of buses on the roads and kids on crosswalks.

In a Thursday interview at MSP's Wakefield's office, trooper Jerry Mazurek warned that drivers of all other vehicles must be mindful of the following state code on school buses: "The operator of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus that has stopped and is displaying two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level shall bring the vehicle to a full stop not less than 20 feet from the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer activated."

According to Mazurek, the ruling stands even in multiple lanes of traffic, and he suggests also heeding yellow bus lights because they often precede a bus's red lights.

Protecting children is the most important reason for minding the rules, in Mazurek's view, but he said bad driving also could result in fines, court costs and points lost on drivers' licenses.

Mazurek, a community service officer, said students have their own related responsibilities, which include "no horseplay," waiting for the bus to come to a complete stop, and entering crosswalks only after proper surveillance.

According to the trooper, parents transporting kids in their own vehicles also need to be sure they use seatbelts, booster seats and other equipment according to the law, which requires all children 16 and under to don safety belts, no matter where they sit in the vehicles.

As for teenagers who drive themselves to school, they must not allow music, friends, or any other activity to distract them when they are behind the wheel. Mazurek said state law prohibits any driver under 18 from operating a hand-held device to text, call, check social media, etc.

Mazurek said bicyclists should wear helmets, obey their own specific traffic rules and routes and use a chain, cable and lock so nobody else can steal or ride their bikes.

Finally, for kids walking to school, Mazurek said parents need to scout out the safest routes, with the best lighting. "Talk to your kid," he said, regarding having a plan for how they can react when faced with a possible threat such as someone following them.

If kids are returning to an empty house, Mazurek said they should be taught to lock themselves in, not answer the door for anyone, and not admit to being alone. He said they also should know how to call 911.

Mazurek said parents should know their children's friends and online habits, and they should have the access codes to their kids' phones. "Don't just give them unfettered access," he said. "Do you give your kid unfettered, physical access to anywhere in the world? Because, on a phone, you do."

Regarding possible substance abuse, Mazurek said parents should protect any items that could be used by their children and even should monitor any prescriptions their kids use. "Every once in awhile, you'll get a kid who decides to sell their pills," he said.

Mazurek also praised the state's "excellent" OK2SAY program, which he said allows kids to report perceived threats to themselves, other students, school officials or the school itself. Reportable subjects include weapons at school, talk of suicide, bullying, etc., and attachments and links are accepted. Students may phone, text, email, use mobile apps, or communicate via the OK2SAY website, and Mazurek said the tips may be anonymous.

Mazurek concluded by touting MSP's TEAM School Liaison Program, which allows troopers to offer a series of age-appropriate programs for all levels of school kids, who gain knowledge about various laws and safety measures, and on additional issues such as bullying and healthy relationships.