***FREE ACCESS - Dexter Police to enforce school bus safety with start of school

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

It’s that time of year again to increase awareness regarding school bus stop safety. The Dexter Police Department reminds all drivers to be extra cautious when driving during morning and afternoon hours when school buses are on the road.

Tim Fowler, Dexter R-XI Schools Transportation Supervisor (left) and Sergeant Forshee, Dexter Police (SRO) School Resource Officer stand in front of a Dexter School Bus and Dexter Police vehicle.

Displayed yellow flashing lights on school buses does not mean hurry up to beat the red lights! The yellow lights mean the school bus is approaching a bus stop to load or unload children. Be alert, there could possibly be little brothers and/or sisters at the bus stop waiting for their siblings to get home from school and they are not watching for you. Please be prepared to stop!

Displayed red flashing lights, crossing arms, and/or stop signs, on school buses mean all drivers MUST stop and yield to all pedestrians. It's the law and you will receive a ticket if you do not stop.

The new crosswalk on Grant St near the high school

"Dexter School buses are equipped with digital cameras that record in a high clear resolution," commented Sergeant Forshee, Dexter Police (SRO) School Resource Officer. "Those cameras and recordings are used in identifying vehicles, drivers, and used for prosecution of offenders who fail to stop for school buses."

"At the beginning of 2022 school year, the Dexter Police Department issued approximately 30 tickets for failure to stop for school buses while loading/unloading students in the school’s first semester alone," continued Sergeant Forshee. "This is a big safety concern for our children! We will be on patrol and you will get a ticket if caught failing to stop for any school buses while loading/unloading children."

Further, be cautious of all pedestrian traffic in and around the schools when travelling in the area.

The new crosswalk at the intersection of Brown Pilot Road and One Mile Road

The new crosswalk at the intersection of Brown Pilot Road and One Mile Road

"We have two new crosswalks near Dexter Public Schools this year to help with the pedestrian traffic," stated Sergeant Forshee. "One is located at the corner of One Mile Rd and Brown Pilot Rd. The second is located on Grant Street in front of the high school."

"Our student’s safety is our number one priority! Please do your part to help keep our children safe as they travel to and from school this year."

Dexter Public Schools begin their 2023-2024 academic year on Thursday, August 24, 2023.

"Please allow extra time to get to and from school during the morning and afternoon hours," commented Tim Fowler, Dexter R-XI Schools Transportation Supervisor, "Also slow down as the speed limit is 20 mph around the school campus."

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Interesting story:

I was stationed in Okinawa 5 different times between 1977 - 1999. In all of Japan, if a child needs to cross the road…all he or she does is raise their hand high. ALL traffic comes to a halt. I watched kindergarten-aged kids walking down the sidewalk, solo, come to a crosswalk….throw the little hand up in the air and…then, it happens: Traffic STOPS………until the child is safely on the other side. Thing is…it works the same way ven where no crosswalk exists.

The very young kids, kindergarten thru 2nd grade, I think, can often be seen as a group walking together down the sidewalks. These youngsters wear cool hats of bright colors. Each “class” has their own color. What better way to look into a bunch of little ones on a field trip and immediately see if there may be a youngster beginning to wander? 😊

Have a great school year, Dexter kids & teachers. Take care of the kids who may not be able to speak up for themselves. “SAY NO TO BULLYING”……and always help the little kids open their milk cartons or ketchup packets. Even big people become frustrated with these….👍

God Bless America and May God Bless all of you and keep you safe and healthy…🇺🇸

GO BEARCATS!!!

-- Posted by Bearcat72 on Fri, Aug 25, 2023, at 8:12 AM

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