The week of October 19 through 23 has been designated National School Bus Safety Week. This year’s theme, “Red Lights Mean STOP!” serves as a reminder for students, parents, teachers and the community to keep school bus safety in the forefront.
From 2017 to 2019, there were 3,967 crashes involving school buses reported in Ohio. During that time frame, five people were killed in five crashes and 1,322 injuries. None of those killed in these crashes were passengers on the buses.
Prior to stopping, school buses display yellow warning lights that signify the bus is about to stop.
Once a bus comes to a stop, flashing lights and a stop sign are displayed. Motorists approaching a stopped school bus from either direction are required to stop at least 10 feet from the bus while the bus is picking up or dropping off students. When a road is divided into four or more lanes, only traffic driving in the same direction as the bus must stop. Drivers may not resume their travels until the bus resumes traveling.