School starts soon, get ready

Second grader Abigail Koutz selects from school supplies with the help of Constance Beaver, a volunteer from the United Methodist Church, during the Back to School Fair at the Norman P. Franklin City/County Community Center Thursday. Each year the West Central Community Action Agency and Community Outreach join together to provide school supplies for youth in need. According to Marye Sanderson, director of West Central, about 330 youth took part in the fair, and 16-18 area businesses donated.

Nick Wright

As the end of summer draws near and families thoughts turn once again to the school year, it is time for drivers to be especially vigilant.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, drivers should expect changes in traffic patterns as parents and buses transport children to and from schools.

Student’s first day for Nevada R-5 and other Vernon County schools is August 17 while Hume R-8 students start back on Sept. 5.

Anthony Flaten, 8, carries the school supplies he picked up at the Back to School Fair at the community center Thursday.

Nick Wright

Of particular importance, is driver’s adherence to posted speed limits in school zones. Typically, the posted speed limits drop from 30 miles-per-hour to 15 miles-per-hour, but drivers should be aware of specific speed limits in their area.

In Nevada, numerous school zones exist, typically on each side of the block a school is located on. Hickory Street from Ash Street to Olive Street has a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit while school is in session, as does Olive Street from Hickory Street to Floral Street.

A lesser known, but equally important school zone exists near St Mary’s school on Allison Street between Ash Street and Washington Street and on Main Street between Hickory Street and Hunter Street.

Drivers in rural areas should familiarize themselves with the school zones and speed limits through which they may drive during the school year.

According to the MSHP, most vehicle accidents involving drivers under the age of 21 happen mid-afternoon as schools dismiss for the day.

Using cell phones and adjusting the radio can create distractions which lead to a wreck.

The MSHP encourages parents to remind their children, “driving is a full-time job.”

In addition to lower speed limits in school zones, school buses will return to the streets next week.

Under Missouri law, on two-lane roads whether following or meeting a school bus, drivers must stop if the bus is displaying warning signals — stop sign, flashing red lights — and loading or unloading children. On a four-lane or large road, drivers must stop only while following a school bus displaying warning signals.

According to the MSHP, there were 974 traffic wrecks involving school buses in Missouri in 2016 resulting in 389 people injured and one person killed.

The MSHP wrote, “The only 100 percent survivable crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Every day as we travel on Missouri’s roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober.”

Stay Alert, Stay Safe, Stay Alive.