ELKVIEW, W.Va. — Several Kanawha County students will have new bus stops when the school year starts Monday.
Capital High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School students will no longer be picked up and let off the school bus on 7th Avenue in Charleston. School officials say there’s too much illegal passing there along the four-lane road.
“It’s almost one-third of the total illegal passes,” said Brette Fraley, transportation director for Kanawha County Schools.
In just one day there were 26 illegal passes on 7th Avenue, according to Jimmy Lacey, supervisor of transportation, safety and training with KCS. There were five passes in the morning, one during midday and 20 during the afternoon/evening hours.
The stops will now be on 5th Avenue, which is a two-lane road. The bus will make stops on 5th Ave and 26th Street, 29th Street and 31st Street.
Fraley said the change will help protect students.
“It’s just going to be much safer for the students. We’re going to be out of the way of everybody that’s trying to get to work, trying to get home. It’ll be a little slower process, but again, it’ll be much safer,” he said.
School officials were at the Elkview Bus Garage Friday to give a safety demonstration and provide safety tips for the upcoming year.
“We talk about what you should do at the bus stop, reflective clothing, all safety tips for parents that they’ll be able to use with their children,” Fraley said.
Fraley wants motorists to know how important it is to stop when a bus turns on its yellow lights.
“They have to stop. If there’s a question, I would suggest you stop. No one wants to injure or hurt a child, let alone kill one,” he said.
Some of the bus safety tips provided by Kanawha County Schools include:
1. Wear bright clothes so that drivers can see you.
2. Be on time for the bus.
3. Stay out of the road by waiting for the bus in a safe place.
4. Wait for the bus to come to a full stop.
5. Keep the aisle clear.
6. Keep your hands inside the bus. Don’t throw anything out the window.
7. Don’t talk to the bus driver unless it is an emergency.
8. Stay seated until the bus comes to a full stop.
9. Make sure you are at least 10 feet from the bus so you can see the bus driver’s face.
10. Wait until the bus driver signals you to cross the street.
11. Tell the bus driver if you drop anything. Never reach under or in front of the bus.