35th Fighter Wing Rides Misawa School Bus in Recognition of National School Bus Safety Week

  • Published
  • By Faye Jenkins
  • DoDDS
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Cummings Elementary School students cheerfully made room for one more rider on Thursday, 22 October, when Colonel RC Craig, 35th Fighter Wing Vice Commander and Misawa's School Liaison Officer, rode to school on their bus.
Along the way, kids eagerly shared their safety knowledge. They showed Colonel Craig the white pavement markings they line up behind so they're out of the way of the approaching bus and told him about the 10' "danger zone" around the bus.
Colonel Craig asked the kids to be especially careful when getting on/off the bus during field trips off-base because, "Unlike in the United States where cars must stop for school buses, Japanese law allows drivers to pass when kids are getting on and off. Cross the street only after the bus has moved away and traffic allows you to cross safely."
Colonel Craig's message to parents and drivers is, "both motorists and students play vital roles in ensuring that our kids get to and from school safely".
The third week of October is National School Bus Safety Week. Remember, when it comes to safety, drivers have to think about kids... because kids are not thinking about drivers."