National School Bus Safety Week mains more Highway Patrol at school

A reminder to follow school zone speed limits and to stop for school buses.

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is taking part in National School Bus Safety Week by raising awareness and focusing their efforts on the road.

This week puts the emphasis on safety for school buses and the young students they are transporting. The Zanesville Patrol Post is using the week to increase their presence and enforcement in school zones and on bus routes.

“Starting Monday through this week we’re having officers deployed at most of the schools, working the school zones, following school buses, looking for violations. Just remind drivers, when you see a school bus, you know, make sure you’re stopped, make sure you’re familiar with how the law works and you always give the school bus plenty of room to operate,” said Sergeant Kyle Shirer.

The Ohio Revised Code requires drivers to stop their vehicles at least 10 ft. away from a stopped school bus on both sides of the road and to follow the 20 mile per hour speed limit in school zones. Ohio Highway Patrol Sergeant Kyle Shirer says that most mistakes on the road surrounding these rules are from distracted driving. School bus drivers who see persistent issues are encouraged to reach out and report them to the Highway Patrol.

“So if there is a violation that persists, a school bus driver can report it to us and then we would follow up with that driver if we are ever able to locate and identify who they are,” Shirer said.

More information can be found about National School Bus Safety Week by visiting the website of the National Association of Pupil Transport which is a trade association for student transportation.