The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with Street Smart NJ in support of National School Bus Safety Week (October 16-20, 2023) to remind drivers about the importance of school bus safety. In every State, it is illegal to pass a school bus while the school bus stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing. Although the school bus is one of the safest modes of transportation, illegal school bus passing is a deadly risk to bus riders and their caretakers. Drivers should always come to a complete stop when a school bus stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing.
The most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the school bus. In the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services 2022 Stop Arm survey, 79,859 school bus drivers reported that 51,593 vehicles passed their buses illegally on a single day during the 2020-21 school year. Throughout a 180-day school year, these sample results point to more than 41.8 million violations per year among America’s motoring public.
The "Danger Zone" is the school bus loading and unloading area, specifically, any side of the bus where children may not be seen by the bus driver, so they're in the most danger. That includes 10 feet in front of the bus, where the driver may be sititng too high to see a child, and 10 feet on either side, where a child may be in a driver's blind spot, and behind the school bus.
The NHTSA offers safety reminders for both parents and caregivers:
- Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.
- Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.
- Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
- Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.
- Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus.
- Be sure the bus driver can always see you and you can see the bus driver.
- Before crossing the street, stop and look left-right-left before crossing.
The NHTSA also has safety reminders for motorists in the vicinity of a school bus:
- "Always stop if there’s a school bus” is a best practice to follow.
- Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children so slow down and prepare to stop.
- Motorists may begin moving only when the red flashing lights are turned off, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move.
- Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results.
- The greatest risk to a child isn’t riding a school bus but approaching or leaving one so it's especially important to pay attention.
- Slow Down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops.
- Don’t drive distracted. Be alert. Children arriving for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
- Watch out for young people who may be distracted and not paying attention to the traffic around them.
For more information on illegal school bus passing, visit
www.nhtsa.gov/school-bus-safety/reducing-illegal-passing-school-buses.