YARDVILLE, N.J. — As millions of students head back to class, the National School Transportation Association is warning drivers to obey school bus safety laws after a national survey exposed alarming rates of illegal passing.
At its annual meeting in July, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services reported that more than 114,000 school bus drivers documented 67,258 violations in a single day. If projected across the school year, the total suggests drivers illegally pass stopped buses millions of times nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found similar concerns in a recent study. While most drivers know to stop on two-lane roads, many remain confused about the rules on multi-lane roads or when buses are loading students in school zones. The study also showed limited awareness of the penalties for breaking the law, underscoring the need for stronger education and enforcement.
Nearly 70% of drivers surveyed said they support using cameras to ticket the registered owners of vehicles caught illegally passing buses.
“Stopping for a stopped school bus isn’t just the law; it will prevent a potential traffic fatality,” said Curt Macysyn, the association’s executive director. “We must continue to raise awareness of the laws governing motor vehicle navigation around school buses because any incident involving a stopped school bus is entirely preventable.”
School buses are considered the safest form of student transportation. Federal data show children are 70 times more likely to arrive safely at school on a bus than in a car. But that safety is compromised when motorists ignore flashing red lights and extended stop arms.
The association urged motorists to stay alert in school zones, residential areas, rural roads, and high-traffic corridors, and called on law enforcement and the courts to treat violations seriously.
Founded in 1964, the National School Transportation Association represents private school bus contractors, vehicle manufacturers, and vendors across the country.
