COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is urging drivers to practice road safety by sharing the road with buses ahead of the new school year.
According the OSHP statistics, there have been 7,179 traffic crashes involving school buses in Ohio since 2021, with six crashes resulting in six casualties.
Drivers are urged to familiarize themselves with traffic laws relating to school buses, including:
- When a school bus is stopped with red flashing lights and stop arm extended, all vehicles must come to a complete stop at least 10 feet from the bus
- On roads with four or more lanes, only traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus is required to stop
- Motorists must remain stopped until the bus resumes motion
OSHP is responsible for conducting school bus inspections to keep the 800,000 students who use the transportation daily safe during the school year.
Last year, the Patrol’s Licensing and Commercial Standards section conducted 39,488 school bus inspections.
“Every student in Ohio deserves a safe ride to and from school, and that safety is a responsibility all drivers share,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “As summer ends, and school buses get back out on the road, I encourage all drivers to stay alert, eliminate distractions, and follow the posted speed limit.”
