Motorists urged to brake for school buses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new public service ad from Operation Lifesaver is aimed at enhancing school bus safety at railroad crossings.

The “Look + Listen = Live” ad alerts motorists to be prepared to stop when they are behind a school bus approaching a highway-rail grade crossing.

“When school bus drivers approach railroad crossings nationwide, they are required to stop so they have a good view of the tracks,” Operation Lifesaver President Helen Sramek said in an announcement about the ad. “Many bus drivers also ask their students to quiet down so the driver can listen for a train.”

In the announcement, the nonprofit safety organization urges motorists to help keep kids safe by being patient and refraining from honking or speeding around buses at rail crossings.

The ad is available to download here. It is slated to run in newspapers throughout September.

Operation Lifesaver also offers a list of recommended procedures for school bus drivers at rail crossings.