COLUMBUS – As part of National School Bus Safety Week, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding children and motorists "Flashing Red Means Stop Ahead." National School Bus Safety Week runs Oct. 16 through 22.

The familiar sight of yellow buses back on Ohio’s roadways signals the beginning of another school year. Throughout the entire school year, there are special concerns that need to be considered when sharing the roads with school buses.

“While school buses remain the safest mode of travel on Ohio roadways, school bus crashes do occur,” Colonel Paul McClellan, Patrol superintendent said. “In 2004, there were three crashes resulting in three motorist fatalities and a total of 2,067 crashes involving school buses around Ohio. In all three fatalities motorists driving the other vehicle were at fault.”

This year’s theme, “Flashing Red Means Stop Ahead,” reminds motorists that they are required to stop for stopped school buses that are displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Motorists approaching from either direction are required to stop at least 10 feet from a stopped school bus until the bus resumes motion. If a school bus is stopped on a road divided into four or more lanes, only traffic driving in the same direction as the bus must stop.

Motorists can do their part by starting to think about school bus safety the moment the car is started. When backing out of a garage or driveway, watch for children walking to the school bus. Many times children who are walking or riding their bicycle are paying more attention to getting to school and less attention to their personal safety.

“With the cooperation of motorists, parents, and children, we can all help make the bus ride to and from school as safe as possible for our children, and make this a safe school year throughout Ohio,” Colonel McClellan said.

For additional information on National School Bus Safety Week, visit the National Association for Pupil Transportation Web site at www.napt.org.

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