As dedicated school board members, your paramount concern is the safety and well-being of your district’s students. Unfortunately, the illegal passing of stopped school buses jeopardizes our students’ safety during their journey to and from school.
While the U.S. Department of Transportation rightly identifies the iconic yellow school bus as the safest mode of transport for students, the moment they step on or off that bus becomes a period of increased vulnerability. It’s not the bus itself, but the alarming number of motorists disregarding the law, putting children directly in harm’s way by ignoring flashing red lights and extended stop arms. This illegal act, a violation in all 50 states, demands our continued and unwavering attention.
Alarmingly, a November 2024 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opinion survey revealed a disturbing disconnect in public understanding. A significant portion of respondents attributed illegal passing to drivers simply “not caring,” being “in a hurry,” “not knowing the law” or being “distracted.” These perceptions highlight the urgent need for consistent and impactful public education campaigns at the state and local levels and for motorists to increase their focus around school buses
Thankfully, Michigan has taken a significant step forward in addressing this dangerous behavior. The enactment of Public Act 161 in 2024, permitting the use of school bus stop-arm cameras, provides a powerful tool for enforcement. These cameras capture crucial evidence of illegal passing, allowing for civil sanctions against those who choose to endanger our students.
The National School Transportation Association is championing the Brake for Kids Act at the federal level. This proposed legislation recognizes the nationwide scope of the problem and seeks to launch a national public safety messaging campaign. By utilizing television and radio advertisements, the aim is to educate drivers about the potentially fatal consequences of illegally passing a stopped school bus. We must actively support and advocate for the passage of this crucial federal initiative.
As school leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that every community member understands the laws, regulations and inherent safety surrounding our yellow school buses. This includes parents, caregivers and every driver on our roads. Dean continues to advocate for student safety through initiatives like Operation Safe Stop each fall.
By working collaboratively with law enforcement, leveraging the power of stop-arm cameras, supporting state and national initiatives, and prioritizing comprehensive public education, we can strengthen our defenses against this dangerous behavior and continue to prioritize the safety of Michigan’s students.