National School Bus Safety Week (held annually during the third full week of October) serves as an essential reminder for driver awareness to ensure student safety during morning and afternoon routes.
Key Driver Safety Reminders
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Flashing Yellow Lights: Indicates the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Slow down and prepare to stop.
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Flashing Red Lights & Extended Stop Arm: Signals that the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers traveling in both directions must come to a complete stop until the lights stop flashing and the arm is retracted (unless on a divided highway with a physical median, depending on local state laws).
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Watch the “Danger Zone”: The area 10 feet around all sides of a school bus is the most critical hazard zone. Be especially alert for kids walking to or from the bus.
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Put Down Distractions: Never text or talk on a phone while driving, particularly in school zones and near bus stops.
Standard Rules for Passing Stopped Buses
| Road Type | Traffic Direction | Driver Action Required |
| Two-Lane Road | Both directions | Must stop for flashing red lights |
| Multi-Lane (Undivided) | Both directions | Must stop across all lanes |
| Multi-Lane (Divided with Median) | Same direction as bus | Must stop |
| Multi-Lane (Divided with Median) | Opposite direction | May proceed with caution |
