School transportation orientation and news

8/5/2025

School bus safety data and reminders

School bus safety orientation for parents/guardians and students

Although school buses are some of the safest vehicles on the road according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it’s important for all drivers, as well as parents and students, to understand school bus safety. The organization underscores the importance of students safely entering and exiting school buses. Recommendations for back-to-school planning include a school bus safety orientation for families to learn about the safety zones around the school bus and positive bus behavior.

Schools can help families learn about walking to the bus stop, bus stop procedures, paying attention to the bus driver’s instructions, safety at railroad crossings, and emergency procedures. Consider having school vehicles and drivers present at open houses, where families can meet the driver for a planned route, tour the bus, and obtain take-home materials.

More information can be found on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s School Transportation Safety webpage.

Illegal passing of stopped school buses

The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) completed its thirteenth annual survey on the dangers of passing school buses with amber lights. In 36 states, 114,471 school bus drivers reported 69,408 illegal passes in a single day during the 2024-2025 school year.

Detailed results from the 2025 survey and prior years can be found on the NASDPTS website.