OAK CREEK, Wis. — GO Riteway Transportation Group will be participating in Wisconsin Operation Safe Stop Week during the last week in September along with the Wisconsin School Bus Association and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
State Patrol officers will increase their enforcement efforts, keeping a close eye on safe interactions between motorists and school buses at various locations throughout the state.
The primary focus of the enforcement event is to educate motorists about the dangers of their destructive decisions and to reduce the number of instances of a stopped school bus being passed.
“We’re proud to take part in this very important program,” Butcher said. “With the new school year starting, it’s critical to remind drivers that school buses are on the road again and that they need to obey the flashing lights indicating children are either getting on or off the bus.”
Safety tips:
- It’s illegal to pass a stopped school bus when the red lights located on top of the bus are flashing.
- Drivers must stop whether they are approaching the school bus from the front or overtaking it from the rear.
- Drivers must always stop for flashing red lights. This law does not apply to vehicles driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway but does apply if no barrier is present on multi-lane streets or highways.
“We invest significant time, effort, energy and financial support into our safety programs so that all of our employees understand their role in both safe driving and maintaining a safe work environment. We’re responsible for the safety of children in the community and we don’t take that responsibility lightly,” Butcher added.
GO Riteway Transportation Group is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2017 and today has over 1,350 employees and 1,090 vehicles, operating out of 18 Wisconsin locations. It services 27 school districts, including the newly-awarded Elmbrook School District. The commercial services division operates 38 airport shuttles, 31 motorcoaches, 30 executive sedans and 21 mini coaches.
The company rebranded in 2011 from Riteway Bus Service, Inc. to GO Riteway Transportation Group when it acquired airport shuttle service. GO Riteway is currently constructing a new 3,300 square foot facility and bus parking lot for Mequon-Thiensville school bus operations that will be completed later this year. www.goriteway.com
