Today is the first day of class for the 2015-2016 school year in the Perry Community School District and this week we are going to share some back to school safety tips from our local Police Chief, Eric Vaughn.

Today we focus on bus safety.  Chief Vaughn says it’s important for parents to make sure their children are being smart at the bus stop.

“We want to make sure that kids are in their designated area, at their designated bus stop.  We want to make sure that they don’t start moving toward the bus until it is completely stopped, they have that stop arm out and that door actually open. That just helps the drivers maintain safety and so they can see those kids.”

And motorists also need to follow the rules when it comes to buses.

“As you approach a bus, if the amber lights are flashing as you approach it, it’s kind of like a caution, you need to slow down and be prepared for that stop arm to come out and those red lights.  If that stop arm and those red lights come on before you reach the bus, you’re required to stop.  If you’re behind the bus and see the amber lights start to flash, that means they’re going to stop and soon that red arm is going to come out and those red lights are going to flash.  You are required to stop and now to pass the bus at all.”

H says the penalty for not obeying the school bus laws includes hundreds of dollars in fines.

We’ll have more with Chief Vaughn on today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours.