A routine stop at a Ralston railroad crossing went awry earlier this year when a semi-truck slammed into the back of a school bus.

Thankfully, the Powell school bus driver had already dropped off all students for the day, and no one was seriously injured. But the February incident serves as an important reminder for drivers to pay attention and use extra caution, especially when school buses are stopped in the road. As part of National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 17-21, Powell bus drivers are offering safety tips for students, parents and motorists.

“We want to make sure everyone is safe and gets to where they’re going,” said Stephen Janes, transportation supervisor for Park County School District No. 1.

This school year has been off to a pretty good start with fewer call-ins for people running the red lights on the school buses, he said.

“I think more people continue to be aware that when the red lights are on, you can’t pass,” Janes said. “That’s even when it’s a four-lane road.”

Both sides of traffic must stop, he said.

“If you see the yellow lights, that means the bus is going to stop. So slow down and be prepared to stop,” Janes said. “Yellow doesn’t mean to speed up or drive around the bus.”

All Powell school buses are equipped with cameras to capture video of vehicles illegally passing a stopped bus.

“The cameras are always rolling,” Janes said.

The image quality allows law enforcement to easily identify license plates. Janes said there’s good support from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Powell Police Department and Park County Sheriff’s Office to follow up and educate the public.

Janes also warned about the dangers of distracted driving.

“That text can wait; that phone call can wait,” he said.

This year, fluorescent flags were placed at crosswalks on Coulter Avenue and other busy intersections near schools, and Janes reminded kids to carry the bright flags when crossing the street.

“They’re not just there for decoration,” he said.

The old advice about looking both ways before crossing the street is still worth repeating.

“So many kids we see get off the bus and don’t look both ways,” Janes said. “Look both ways when you’re crossing the street — it’s so important.”

Janes also reminded kids and parents to be careful and follow the rules in bus loading zones at local schools. Last month, an Ohio student was killed after he fell off his skateboard and was struck by a school bus.

Janes said it’s important for kids to stand back away from the road at bus stops — at least 10 big steps.

Another problem is people walking in between school buses when they’re parked, said Christy Schwartz, administrative assistant for the school district’s transportation department.

“Going 10 extra steps is not going to kill you,” she said. “Going between buses may kill you.”

Parents who are dropping their kids off or picking them up shouldn’t use the loading zone areas.

“Bus loading zones are for buses, not cars,” she said.

As it gets darker with winter approaching, it’s also a good idea for kids to carry a flashlight to the bus stop or wear reflective clothing or shoes. Janes also reminded families to make sure kids arrive at the bus stop on time and call ahead if they’re not riding the bus.

Kids in kindergarten through third grade cannot be released from the bus if they will be home alone, Janes said; Wyoming requires a parent, guardian or older sibling to be at the bus stop.

Throughout the school year, most students ride a school bus — whether it’s on a daily route, traveling to a sport competition or a field trip.

Bus drivers undergo a variety of training exercises, including driving on mountain roads. For the first time, Powell bus drivers underwent APEX training in August for how to respond if an active shooter tried to get on board.

“We hope it’s training we’ll never have to use,” Janes said.

As in the past, the district uses right-hand stops whenever possible; students get directly on or off the bus on the right-hand side of the street, eliminating a need to cross and go in front of traffic. In some cases, that changes the school bus route. “It’s always to make it as safe as possible for the kids,” Janes said.

Click here to see a school bus' recording of a semi-truck hitting the back of the bus