Pennsylvania School Bus Drivers Win Safety Honors

Congratulations to those Pennsylvania students and bus drivers who won School Bus Safety awards at a recent ceremony in Harrisburg.

Twelve elementary and middle school students and six drivers from across the state were honored in the 2012 Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Poster Contest and Driver Safety Competition. The events were part of School Bus Safety Week from October 22-26.

This year’s poster theme was “Stand Back from the Yellow and Black.” It stressed the need for students to stay a safe distance from the bus so drivers can see them while loading and unloading. The dozen winners were chosen from among 475 public and private school student entries.

The driving competition tests bus drivers’ knowledge of safety rules and safe operation of their buses.

“Parents trust school bus drivers to take their children to and from school every day – and do it safely,” said State Police Safety Supervisor Richard Koontz in a DOT press release. “This recognition is testimony to the extraordinary job they are doing and serves as a model to all school bus drivers.”

State law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop.

In 2011, nearly 750 motorists were convicted of violating this law. The same year, there were 387 school bus crashes, resulting in one fatality – a school bus driver. No school bus passengers were killed.

School bus drivers in Pennsylvania travelled more than 404 million miles during school year 2010-11, transporting more than 1.5 million students daily.

Free Consultation With a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorney

Got a question about school bus safety? Been in a vehicle accident? You are entitled to a free and confidential case evaluation with an experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyer at Munley, Munley & Cartwright. Call 877-763-2343 to discuss your legal rights and options, or use this online contact form.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/pdNews.nsf/PressOfficeHome?OpenFrameset