Slow Down for School Buses, Pedestrians
School bells will be ringing soon, as students prepare to head back to class in the coming weeks. Now is a good time to refresh our memories about how to share the road safely with school buses and other school transportation vehicles.
Pennsylvania law requires motorists stop at least 10 feet away from school buses when their red lights are flashing and their stop arm is extended. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.
Penalties for failure to obey school bus safety laws can result in a $250 fine, five points on a driving record and a 60-day license suspension.
Parents are reminded to ensure that their children are at the bus stop early to avoid rushing. Students should stay where the bus driver can see them while boarding or exiting the bus.
Click here for more information and tips for school bus safety.
House Committees Consider Tow Truck Safety
On Tuesday, I joined my colleagues on the House Transportation and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees at a joint hearing at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown. The focus of the hearing was tow truck safety. In addition to the hearing, we toured the academy.
We’re pictured in front of a KME Fire Apparatus truck – proudly built in Carbon County.
Get the Facts About Concussions
With many student athletes back at school for fall sports practice, it’s a good time for students, parents and coaches to be vigilant at preventing, recognizing and managing concussions.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or from a fall or blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Concussions can have serious short-term and long-term impacts, especially on young people whose brains are still developing.
In 2011, the Safety in Youth Sports Act was signed into law in Pennsylvania, requiring all school entities to develop return-to-play policies for student athletes with concussions, as well as requiring related training for coaches.
Visit the Department of Health’s website at www.health.pa.gov and search for “Traumatic Brain Injury” for approved curricula for coaches and other school personnel, along with frequently asked questions about the law and many other state-related resources.
Most importantly, if you think your child has a concussion, seek medical attention, discuss the injury with the coach and don’t allow the athlete to return to play without permission from a health care professional.
Mark Your Calendars for Our Senior Expo
Sen. John Yudichak and I are hosting a Senior Expo on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, 101 East 10th St., Jim Thorpe. Our expo brings exhibitors from local, county and state agencies to share information about services available for seniors in our community. For more information, call my office at 610-377-6363.
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