As National School Bus Safety Week (SBSW) wrapped up Friday, here’s an overview of how school districts, industry associations and companies promoted and supported student safety on the yellow bus.
The New York School Bus Contractor’s Association is reiterating their support for increased legislation for illegal passing penalties, as well as expanded drug and alcohol testing for school bus drivers and tougher penalties for those who drive under the influence.
“As champions of school bus safety, the New York School Bus Contractors Association is once again proud to support this year’s annual National School Bus Safety Week. School buses are, without a doubt, the safest way for a child to get to and from school, and overall our school districts and contractors are doing a phenomenal job here in New York,” said Robert Pape, president of the New York School Bus Contractors Association.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) emphasized the state’s school bus safety record, noting that there hasn’t been a pupil passenger fatality in California in two decades, as well as reminded motorists of their role in helping to maintain student safety.
“California may have the best pupil passenger safety record in the nation, but we always need the help of the driving public,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “When the flashing red lights and stop arm on a school bus are activated, drivers are required by law to stop until the flashing red lights and stop arm have been deactivated. If they can do so safely, people should also report drivers who illegally pass school buses. Most important of all, slow down and watch for children around school buses.”
School bus contractor First Student wrapped up its nationwide Safety Dog Bus Tour in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The tour comes from a partnership with the National Safety Council and encourages safe bus behavior. The company also released a list of safety tips for students who ride the school bus:
- Staying 12 giant steps away from the outside of the bus.
- Waiting for the bus to stop completely before getting on or off.
- Not picking up any items they may have dropped near the bus. The driver may not see them. Instead, ask the driver for help.
- Staying away from the bus wheels at all times.
School districts also participated by creating awareness or partnering with local law enforcement agencies to ensure motorists followed illegal passing laws. In Ohio, as in many other states, state troopers followed school buses or even rode along to ensure that motorists sharing the road with school buses did not illegally pass these when stopped. In Idaho, the Idaho Falls School District 91 teamed up with local police to create public service announcements about school bus safety.
