PRINCETON, W.Va. – This week marks School Bus Safety Week across West Virginia, and officials are emphasizing the importance of awareness for both drivers and students around school buses.
During the week, schools host discussions with students about key safety practices.
This includes what to do—and what not to do—on the bus, how to cross the street safely, and participating in fire drills while on board.
It’s important to remember that in West Virginia, it is illegal to pass a school bus when its stop arm is extended, and its red lights are flashing. While school buses are one of the safest modes of transportation, passing a stopped bus poses a serious risk to children getting on and off.
David Rose, the Transportation Safety Supervisor for Mercer County Schools, stresses the need for caution:
He says, “Just be cautious. You know, drive slow, pay attention too. There’s kids standing out. Make sure that they’re driving at a safe rate of speed to where they can stop and again stop for the red lights when the buses are stopped.”
Statistics from the West Virginia Department of Transportation reveal a concerning trend: from 2013 to 2022, there were 1.5 times more fatalities among students walking to or from the bus compared to those riding on the bus during school-related incidents.
Rose reminds drivers to exercise patience when stopping for school buses to ensure the safety of all children.
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