Many important causes have a ribbon to raise awareness, and now school bus safety has one, too.
Delaney Bus Lines has partnered with Safe Transportation of Pupils (STOP) to promote proper stopping practices around school buses by handing out “Safe Stop” ribbons.
During School Bus Safety Week celebrated Oct. 17-21 in both Canada and the United States, Delaney and STOP distributed lapel ribbons and vehicle antenna ribbons to school bus drivers, school personnel, school board officials and law enforcement in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and the city of Cornwall.
Every year the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) sponsors National School Bus Safety Week (NSBSW) and this year’s theme was “Be Aware — Know the Danger Zone!” Located in the southeast Ontario city of Avonmore, Delaney Bus Lines is drawing more attention to safe practices around school-bus danger zones with the new campaign.
“We are extremely excited to introduce this awareness campaign, which will promote the importance of proper stopping practices around school buses,” said Delaney Manager Mark Begg. “We need as many people as possible to pledge that they will help preserve our future by obeying the law.”
Staff members in area schools, Delaney bus drivers, enforcement officers with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police, as well as Cornwall Community Police, have been encouraged to participate in the “Safe Stop” ribbon campaign.
During School Bus Safety Week, U.S. states such as Utah, Kansas and Florida launched public awareness campaigns to remind motorists about following traffic laws. Some states and municipalities targeted motorists who illegally pass and speed around stopped school buses. North Carolina state troopers issued more than 6,000 traffic violations in and around schools and school zones last week.
“Passing a school bus while loading and unloading students is illegal in all 50 states and across Canada,” said Don Weir of Student Transportation Inc., which has headquarters in Barrie, Ontario, and Wall, N.J. “The flashing red lights and stop-arm are obvious signals for motorists to stop.”
