Springfield police warning drivers to slow down when school buses come back out

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – School buses will return to the road in a few days and police are warning everyone to slow down.

Springfield streets will be packed with more than 20-thousand kids heading off to school on Monday morning. Most will either be walking or taking the bus. And with the increase of school buses, experts say, the risk of accidents also increases.

“I don’t want kids on buses getting hurt because someone wasn’t paying attention to where they were going,” said Joe Ferrarie of Agawam.

According to Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh, people looking down at their phones cause the most accidents. “Especially if you’re speeding and looking at your phone these buses stop at all times and you’re not just going to have the reaction to stop,” said Walsh.

In the state, it’s illegal to pass a school bus with the stop arm out and red lights flashing.

“If you see the yellow lights flashing on a bus just be prepared to stop, when the red lights are flashing and the red arms come out be prepared to stop or it’s a fine,” added Walsh.

This fine can cost you up to $250.

Police say drivers who fail to stop for a school bus are not only breaking the law but are also putting children’s lives at risk. “They need to be cognitive of all these pedestrians especially little kids walking to school,” expressed Walsh.

So, if you see a 20mph sign in a school zone be sure to reduce your speed.

“I knew someone who was killed in a crosswalk from someone hurrying and you know it’s important if we could just all slow down,” said Valerie Ungerer of West Springfield.

For the first week of school, there will be an increase in police patrols…to keep an eye on children coming in and out of the school. And if you’re picking up your student from school it is recommended to follow the guidelines each school sets out to maintain a steady flow of traffic.

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