School Bus Safety Tips From the Ohio State Highway Patrol
ZANESVILLE, Ohio-While some students are still enjoying summer vacation in our area, but for others the first school bell of the 2016-2017 school year has already rung.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol wants to ensure the safety of all motorist especially those carrying precious cargo.
“The school buses have their stops designed to stop in safe locations,” Commander of the Zanesville Post Lieutenant Matt Boyd said. “But if someone is speeding, not paying attention, or on their phone, could easily come up on a school bus loading or discharging children.”
From 2013 to 2015 more than 4,000 drivers were convicted of failing to stop for a school bus that was loading or dropping off passengers.
“Police officers don’t have to observe a bus violation in order to take enforcement action on it. If a school bus driver reports the violation, if [the driver] sees a vehicle pass. They [can] call a law enforcement agency and say that they saw a vehicle pass their stopped school bus. [If] they can describe the vehicle and we can identity who’s driving that vehicle that person will be issued a citation,” Lt. Boyd said.
The highway patrol reminds motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time for these school buses to stop. The patrol also urges drivers to never pass a stopped school bus.
