Five Things to Know Today -- Friday

"Five Things to Know Today" is a Radnor Patch feature published every day that provides a quick heads up on what's happening. Add what other things people might need to know in the comments section below.

1.   In December 2006 the Rosemont neighborhood and the entire Radnor community were startled by a middle-of-the-night shootout in a residential neighborhood. The man who allegedly shot at police officers is on trial in Delaware County court. Read about it at Main Line Media News.

2. With school starting soon, PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E suggests that parents discuss the following safety tips with children:

·         Get to the bus stop five minutes early to avoid having to run to catch the bus;

·         If crossing the street to board the school bus, be sure to look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT to see that all cars have stopped;

·         When waiting for the school bus, stay at least five wide steps away from the curb or roadway to avoid traffic;

·         Avoid the “School Bus Danger Zone” by staying at least 10 wide steps away from the bus on all sides so the bus driver can see you. If you drop something near or under a bus, be sure to tell the driver before trying to retrieve it;

·         Never walk behind the school bus;

·         When getting on and off the bus, secure drawstrings on coats and other loose items so they cannot get caught in the handrail or door;

·         Talk quietly while on the bus so the driver is not distracted; and

·         Remain seated at all times and wait for the bus to fully stop before standing up to exit.

3. Did you know that motorists convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law face a $250 fine, five points on their driving record and a 60-day license suspension?

According to PennDOT, under state law, motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended must stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop. However, drivers who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop. Lanes of a divided highway are clearly separated by a divider, such as concrete barriers or grass medians.

Motorists must also use caution in school zones. Schools are hubs of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, so motorists are required to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 miles per hour in school zones. Violations carry a fine and three points on the driver’s record. 

4. Plan your commute ahead—PECO will be performing gas main construction in the center lanes of Lancaster Avenue between Kromer Road and N. Wayne Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the week of September 12. (See the map.)

5. On Wednesday, August 24 Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) will host a grant seminar to assist local fire companies in applying for the 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Staff from the Philadelphia Department of Homeland Security Office will be on hand to present information and answer questions regarding the grant program, application process, changes from last year’s application, and suggestions for a successful application. The seminar will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center in Sharon Hill.