National School Bus Safety Week wraps up today. This year's theme is "Obey the Arm - Do No Harm."

When a school bus stops with red light flashing and stop arm extended, motorists are required by law to stop.

In conjunction with local law enforcement and registry officials, officers and Registy of Motor Vehicles personnel were out in force Wednesday to run "Operation Yellow Blitz."

Across the state there was emphasis on stopping motorists who do not stop when the school bus stops to board or release passengers. Motorists who fail to stop for a bus with its lights flashing are subject to a fine, court costs and increased insurance rates.

One of the biggest threats to safety is distraction - on the motorist's part, the driver's part and the student's part. Students need to arrive 7-10 minutes before the bus is to arrive. A bus driver must see the children to warn traffic that they are about to pick up students. The driver needs to see and account for the children prior to making the stop. If children run from their houses into the street they cannot be safe. Children who wait inside until the last moment or are constantly running for the bus create a hazard.

Please never drive up behind the bus at a different stop and let your child run up to the doors from behind the bus. There is a blind spot behind the bus. You are putting your child into a danger zone.

The biggest issue: distraction of motorists doing things like talking on the phone, texting, reading, eating, putting on make-up etc. Students need to realize that, despite the law, motorists do not always stop. Children must learn to stop, look left then right, then left again, and only cross at the direction of the driver! Explain to your child today that they cannot be on their cellphone, or texting or listening to music as they cross the street. They must be at the direction of the driver who is watching traffic and can warn them if a car is approaching and not stopping.

Bus safety is everyone's responsibility. Children are responsible for following the rules of the bus to get safely to school. Motorists must stop when the school bus stops and not proceed until the stop arm and school lights have been shut off and still they must be aware of children who may be running who the driver may not see.

BRENDA HASKELL of Attleboro is the longtime operator of Haskell Bus Service.