There are just a few things that I would like to make motorists aware of. Some are pet peeves and some really are more than an annoyance; they are a hazard.

You might be amazed at the number of headlights that don't point anywhere near the road! The worst is the left side. This is the light normally aimed a little higher and farther down the roadway. When this light is too high, it not only does not help you see the road but usually blinds anyone coming toward you that is driving in a vehicle higher than a car. This is most evident when it is foggy. You will see this Hollywood spot light going down the road. This is very common on pickup trucks and vans that are loaded. When you are carrying weight in the back, it raises the front and can be a menace to everyone when the lights hit you square in the face. It is not a difficult task to have your headlights aimed properly; some lights can be adjusted with just a screwdriver-I have done this myself. Others require a little dismantleing and you may have to have some help. Please check your lights.



Some new cars have those horrible bright white lights that can blind you even if they are not on high beams and are aimed correctly. I don't know what to suggest about these except to be extra careful they are aimed low enough on the road. Also, please don't use your high beams in the daylight. It is very noticeable and does not do you any good at all; so why annoy other drivers?

The White Line

Traffic that does not respect the white line just puts itself in harms way. You know, the white line at intersections and stop signs that indicates where you are to stop. Only about half the driving public understands about this. Who hasn't seen a whole line of cars have to back up because a truck could not make the turn. Always it is because the first car and sometimes another, did not stop back far enough so the truck could make its turn.



Those lines are there for a reason-not to just annoy you. Some buses and most trucks are too long to make a turn without this extra room. Please be more aware of the white lines in future.

The No-Zone

It is not easy to see behind your bus. It is not easy to see next to the bus either. It is the same for buses as it is for trucks. Yes, we have mirrors and the drivers viewpoint is above most of the traffic. But there are situations that you cannot imagine if you have only driven a car.

• Buses have bigger blind spots.
• Buses need more room to maneuver.
• Buses take longer to stop.
• Buses take longer to pass.
• Buses are heavier than cars and pickups. If you hit a bus, you lose.

In some areas, they promote the "NO ZONE". This is most important out on the highway. In cities, it is not always possible to stay clear of this zone, but you can be aware of it and of the buses limitations.



Inside these areas, visibility is limited and the driver cannot maneuver as easily. If you are in one of these areas, and the driver of the bus just sits there, instead of making a turn, it is probably because you are in the way. They probably will not motion you on because they are not policemen. But sometimes, we are forced to wave you out of the way--please try to assess the situation and move if possible.

Remember the guideline: "IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE DRIVER IN THE MIRROR, HE CAN'T SEE YOU."

Never, never cut in front of a bus. Not on the road, not at school. You wait. We can't see you as well as you think. Every parent going to the school that does not follow traffic patterns and think that they are exempt from the rules is endangering all of us: their safety and the children and driver on the bus. It is amazing to me how many parents won't follow the rules and then get upset if others don't or if the school insists their children are uncooperative. Where do they think the children learn that they don't have to follow the rules? By observation more than anything else. Please set a good example.

Thank You!
I would like to thank all the motorists that are courteous and kind, and help all of us do a better job. These people hold back at intersections so we can have even more room than we need. They will let us turn in front of them so we can get out of the way and not hold up traffic. They don't cut in front of us. They flash their lights when it is dark so we can understand they are waiting for us (hand and finger motions are nearly impossible to see, even in the daylight!)

Thanks to all of you who make our job easier. We love what we do but appreciate a little extra help on the road.