Troopers on patrol for National School Bus Safety Week

SOUTH ZANESVILLE, Ohio- You may notice the State Highway Patrol cruisers following school buses this week and it’s for a good reason.

It’s National School Bus Safety Week and the Highway Patrol is working to be sure your kids are safe. The theme this year is “Stop on Red” and reminds motorists that they should always stop for busses. When a bus puts on its warning lights drivers should be ready to stop at least 10 feet behind the bus. Drivers should not go until the bus pulls in its stop sign and turns off the warning lights. Lieutenant Matt Boyd says this week Troopers are riding behind busses looking for violators and serving as deterrents.

“The main thing they’re there for is watching for the violations because if someone is going to pass a stopped school bus and they see a cruiser around it, you know, obviously that’s going to change their plans.”

While some Troopers are riding behind the busses, others are riding on the busses with the kids. Bus drivers are able to report violators or other hazards when they see them.

“They’re talking to the bus drivers about things that they see on the route. They’re looking at areas of interest where busses are stopping. If they see a concern where a bus is stopping near a curb or on a hill or something, you know, they may bring that up.”

The Highway Patrol encourages drivers to practice patience and to be vigilant when driving any busses with or without flashing lights. This helps to cut down on the amount of bus related car accidents and helps keep children safe as they board and exit busses.