Lawrence County, Ohio. (WSAZ) – The third week in October is National School Bus Safety Week.

School buses are a form of transportation thousands of families depend on every day.

“Lawrence County is a rural area so school bus transportation is a lot more prevalent here than some cities,” said Sergeant Derek Malone with Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Ironton Post.

Malone says National School Bus Safety Week is a time to put extra emphasis on catching school bus related traffic violations.

“We’re looking out for passing stopped school buses, school zone safety, speeds, things like that,” Malone said.

Since 2019, Malone says highway patrol has issued over 16,000 citations for passing a stopped school bus.

“This week brings more focus and importance to the issue, where we’ll be out in full force trying to combat these issues,” he said.

Malone reminds drivers, anytime you see the stop arm come out on a school bus you have to stop at least 10 feet away, driving behind or towards a bus.

He says choosing to follow these laws should be a no-brainer.

“School bus safety year round is of the upmost importance because it’s our most precious cargo as we often say,” said Malone. “All of us that have kids and even those of us that don’t should understand the importance of being safe around our kids.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on buses.

However, children are more at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus. That’s why it’s so important for other drivers to understand school bus safety.

The NHTSA says bus safety starts before your child gets on the bus.

Show your child where to wait for the bus, at least ten feet — five giant steps — away from the curb. Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play.

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