Tomorrow All Lower Merion schools will open and the roads will be bustling  with yellow School buses. Since many Au pairs have arrived over the summer they have no idea what to expect or what the PA Bus safety laws are. please take a few minutes to discuss these rules with them.

                             PENNSYLVANIA’S SCHOOL BUS STOPPING LAW

• Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
• Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.
• Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.
• If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
• Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.

THE PENALTIES IF CONVICTED OF VIOLATING PENNSYLVANIA’S SCHOOL BUS STOPPING LAW INCLUDE:

• $250 fine

• Five points on your driving record
• 60-day license suspension

For more information, review Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law Fact Sheet.

WHEN TO STOP FOR SCHOOL BUSES

Check out this graphic that helps illustrate Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law.

     BACK TO SCHOOL EMERGENCY TIPS

• Please make sure your Au pair or new Au pairs name is added to your schools Emergency pick up list.
• Please make sure you explain to your Au pair the Lower Merion School District or your child’s School Identification policy for accessing the school building. That way they can bring the right identification.
• Please add your children’s School phone numbers to the Au pairs cell phone. That way your Au pair will know that it is the school calling and also to be able to call the school if there is a delay or emergency.
• If you require your Au pair to take your sick child to the Dr Please add you Au pair to your Dr HIPAA policy . That way if your child is sick your Au pair will be allowed to take them to the Dr and get them treatment.

•         FALL DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

While many of us are in denial summer will soon be over, it is important for you to  discuss these common Fall Safety tips with your Au pair before fall Arrives.

DON’T SLIDE ON THE LEAVES

Fall leaves are beautiful to see, but when wet or in piles, they present driving hazards unique to the season. Please remind your Au pair to prepare for fall driving conditions by having their vehicles’ tires, brakes and wipers checked before heading out and sharing these tips with them.

Most motorists know that puddles or standing water can cause loss of control, and they adjust their driving accordingly. But fewer drivers, especially inexperienced ones or drivers new to an area with heavy foliage are aware of the dangers of wet leaves.

A single layer of wet leaves can make braking, steering and stopping difficult. This effect is particularly dangerous at intersections and is intensified at downhill stop signs. Acceleration can be affected, too. Fishtailing can result on leaf-strewn interstate entrance ramps and other areas where hard accelerations may be necessary.

LOOK OUT FOR DEER            

Many Au pair may not have experienced dodging a Deer on the Road please share this information with them.

The time from mid-October to December is considered “deer season.” You are most likely to encounter deer out and about during this time of year, and this is also the time of year when it is legal for those licensed to hunt them. During this time of year, it is more likely to see them running near or on the road, especially in and around wooded areas. Many of you live in, or drive through, these types of places, so always be on the lookout this time of year, whatever time of day or night during which you are driving!

Hitting a deer can be extremely scary and can do quite a bit of damage to your car (I’m the voice of experience) and the passengers in it. Unfortunately, if one does charge out in front of you, there isn’t much you can do, but if you are careful and alert, you will at least be able to anticipate what’s going on around you and be on the lookout for them!

Monday, 5 September 2016 11:34 AM