Did you know that in researching Ohio State Highway Patrol historical records, we are not able to find a single crash fatality in Ohio involving a child riding in a school bus?

Our commitment to ensure the safety of every child who rides on a school bus is one of the most valuable services we provide to the public each year.

With children across the area set to return to local schools later this month, Ohio State Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspectors are currently in the process of inspecting every Ohio school bus to ensure each bus is safe to transport children to and from school, and school-sanctioned events.

Across Ohio we have 23 teams of motor vehicle inspectors who inspect all Ohio school buses at least twice each year; once prior to the beginning of the school year and once during the school year. Last year that equated to 46,672 school bus inspections.

Each school bus must pass the Ohio school bus construction standards as addressed in Ohio Revised Code and other inspection points as noted in the annually published Ohio School Bus Inspection Manual. The detailed inspection covers four major areas including the engine compartment, exterior, interior and undercarriage.

School bus safety is more than just inspections. As a motorist, you can do your part by starting to think about school bus safety the moment you start your vehicle. Plan ahead and allow extra time for school bus stops and watch out for children walking to the school bus when you are backing out of a garage or driveway.

I know that when an Ohio school bus receives a safety decal from the Patrol that the children who ride that bus are in one of the safest vehicles in which they can travel.

I encourage each of you to join us in taking the responsibility of school bus safety extremely seriously.