Mary Alice Reporting –
With school districts going back in session, school bus safety is a priority says the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Motorists will need to be aware of the buses but overall increased traffic around school zones and allow for some extra time to navigate.
The Patrol conducts safety inspections on school buses and New Philadelphia Post Lt. Johnnie Maier says child safety is a main concern.
“Motorists approaching a school bus, from either direction, they need to stop at least 10 feet back from the bus when the bus is displaying that red flashing light and that stop sign arm is extended, and then they need to wait because the student could be crossing the road in front of the bus.”
Students getting on or off a bus should also practice caution.
“We just ask them to allow themselves the right amount of time. To just be aware that they’re going to impact the traffic as well, they’re going to impact the school zones as well, but we’ll be out there to educate and steer them in the right direction, and if need be we’ll have to take enforcement.”
Statewide, since 2019, over 6,000 traffic crashes have occurred involving school buses and during that time, eight have been fatalities. For Tuscarawas County, over the same time span, there have been 33 accidents involving a school bus.
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