Milwaukee Public Schools students are back in classrooms today, and drivers across the city should be aware of the rules of the road to keep kids safe.
Students at Casimir Pulaski High School are also welcoming a new group this year — former Lincoln Avenue School students, who are attending Pulaski following a fire over the summer. A celebration is planned at the school this morning to kick off the new school year.
With students walking, riding buses, and crossing streets, crossing guards and school buses are back in full force.
Henry Watfored has been a crossing guard at five different schools for more than eight years. He said drivers should slow down and pay attention when they spot a crossing guard nearby.
"What you should do once you get in the area, you see that we have posted speed limits, which is 20 miles an hour when you have students. Don't come through at 40 miles an hour because that's a weapon that you're in. So slow down, follow the, the road, just do what you're supposed to do. We're there to assist you, you assist us and we'll be fine," Watfored said.
Watfored said safety is a shared responsibility between guards and drivers.
"We are there to help them. We need your help also. So by being there along with us, they're going to be safe but just slow down. Don't be in a rush, especially in the morning when you see our future crossing the streets," Watfored said.
School buses are also back on Milwaukee roads. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says drivers must stop at least 20 feet away — about 2 car lengths — when a school bus displays red flashing lights.
If a barrier is present, drivers on the opposite side of the road are not required to stop. However, if there is no barrier, drivers on the opposite side of the road must stop.
Drivers must remain stopped until the red flashing lights turn off or the bus moves.
Failing to stop for a school bus can result in a fine between $500 and $1,000. Drivers can receive a ticket even if a police officer does not witness the violation — a bus driver has 24 hours to report an illegal pass to police.
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