Keep Our Kids Safe:  National School Bus Safety Week October 17-21.  Slow Down, Obey the School Bus Stop Signs

In support of National School Bus Safety Week, October 17-21, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with Strasburg Borough Police Department 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.

SBPD will also be participating in Operation Safe Stop.  Law enforcement agencies, school transportation providers, pupil transportation associations, and PennDOT have combined their efforts to raise public awareness about the potential consequences of these traffic violations and reduce the occurrence of illegal school bus passes. On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the 26th Annual Operation Safe Stop will take place. 

Respect the “Danger Zone”
The school bus loading and unloading area is called the “Danger Zone.” Specifically, this is any side of the bus where a child may not be seen by the bus driver and, therefore, is in the most danger. These areas include:

· 10 feet in front of the bus, where the driver may be sitting too high to see a child

· 10 feet on either side of the bus, where a child may be in the driver’s blind spots

· Behind the school bus

Let’s work together to keep our children safe as they wait to ride the bus to and from school. Slow down and obey the signs. For more information about school bus stop safety, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety#the-topic-bus-stop-safety.