I am asking District 11 to join me in praying for and watching out for our youth. Last week I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the Lake Village School Prayer Warriors to do just that.
Community youth are back in school. We are we still contending with COVID-19 and I am asking everyone to please drive with caution as you navigate your daily routines. There are over 350,000 children riding school buses daily on the Arkansas highways. Please be reminded that “Flashing Red means Kids Ahead”!
I am joining Governor Hutchinson, our Education Secretary Johnny Key, and the State Police to remind drivers that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when the lights are flashing red. The law also requires drivers to stop on 2 and 4 lane highways in both directions. Motorists are not allowed to pass in any direction until buses have completed discharging and receiving passengers and continues into motion.
We still have a way to go in our state as far as motorist adhering to the rules. As of April 2019, school bus drivers reported almost 1,000 instances of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses in a single daily commute. We must do better.
Considering the need, Arkansas Legislators have enacted laws to try and keep our children safe.
Act 2128 of 2005 is known as Isaac’s Law. This act was written in honor Isaac Brian, a Bryant Elementary School student who was struck and killed when exiting a school bus. My colleagues and I increased the fines with Act 166 in the 2019 Legislative Session. Violating motorists can now face up to 90 days in jail or up to a $2,500 fine. These are just a few reminders of some practices we all need to adopt to keep our children safe. You can find out more about the “Flashing Red, Kids Ahead” campaign at www.flashingredkidsahead.org.
In other community news, in-person instruction has now resumed in our school districts making COVID-19 testing more important now than ever.
Our State Leaders along with Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero have urged Arkansans to not fall prey to coronavirus testing fatigue. If you have fever, cough, shortness of breath, or think you have been exposed to COVID-19 call your healthcare provider or schedule a test with an Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Local Health Unit.
As of Friday August 28, 2020, there were 838 new cases and seventeen (17) deaths in one day. On a more positive note, there was a twenty-seven (27) patient decrease in hospitalizations.
As we work toward decreasing the pandemic spread, please continue all safety practices. Wear masks and try to maintain six (6) feet of social distance when possible. Sanitize common surfaces; wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds; and stay home if you are sick.
Finally, I like to share informative items that constituents might find useful. If you have questions about any legislation or the legislative process, feel free to contact me at my House of Representatives email at don.glover@arkansashouse.org or by phone at 501-682-6211. Follow me on Facebook @GloverForAR.
