Yakima Police Give Tips To Drivers to Keep Kids Safe

The Yakima Police Department has produced a new video to give local drivers tips on how to drive around school buses and crosswalks. Authorities say they're simply hoping to save lives and prevent drivers from being ticketed.

THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN CONFUSION OVER WHEN TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS

The department's Traffic Sgt. Scott Grant says now that kids are back in school they just wanted to make sure people understand the rules of  the road. In the video, on the department's social media pages Grant first talks about school bus safety and how drivers should react when they see a stopped school bus with stop paddles visible. Grant says on a 4 lane road drivers going the opposite direction are not required to stop for the school bus because a lane separates the bus from vehicle traffic.

DIFFERENT RULE FOR A TWO LANE ROAD

It's different on a two lane road. All vehicles in both directions but stop for the visible school bus stop signs.

PEDESTRIANS ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY WHEN CROSSING A STREET

Grant also reminds drivers that pedestrians always have the right-of-way when it comes to crossing a street. He says if you see a person waiting at a designated crosswalk drivers are required to stop. Grant says the city is now in the process of placing flashing lights at crosswalks throughout the city to alert drivers when a person wants to cross a street. But he says drivers need to always be aware of pedestrians since they always have the right-of-way.

Check out the video on the YPD Facebook page;

https://www.facebook.com/YakimaPoliceDepartment