SCDE, SCDPS Highlight Importance of School Bus Safety During National Observance

Press Release

Today, the SC Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and the SC Department of Education (SCDE) held a joint news conference to highlight the importance of school bus safety. National School Bus Safety Week, which runs Oct. 17-21 this year, is aimed at encouraging drivers to slow down, be alert and use best practices on the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riding a school bus is the safest way for students to get to school – 70 times safer compared to other modes of transportation. Unfortunately, each year nationwide injuries and fatalities occur outside of or near a school bus because a vehicle driver failed to obey the stop-arm warning or failed to follow local traffic laws.

“We all play a role in ensuring students in South Carolina and around the nation remain safe during their travel to and from school,” said SCDE Director of Transportation, Mike Bullman. “During National School Bus Safety Week, we want to draw awareness, ensure everyone is knowledgeable about the rules and guidelines around school buses, and highlight the many ways our agency is playing an active role in addressing this issue.”

In addition to leading safety training for bus drivers and helping to draw attention to school bus safety, the SCDE has implemented several actions to ensure school buses are safe for students. Under the leadership of State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, the agency has cut the average age of school buses by half, installed GPS hardware and software in all buses and added more than 4,600 new buses to the South Carolina fleet since Spearman took office. To address state and national school bus driver shortages, the agency launched a campaign this summer called StepUpSC. The initiative aimed to draw awareness to the need for school bus drivers and technicians, highlight the important role of school bus drivers in the safe transport of students, and create a one-stop website for school transportation jobseekers. More information about the campaign can be found at www.StepUpSC.com.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety encourages parents and teachers to talk with their children about the importance of safety before and after school starts. Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles. However, children are more at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus.

“Although this week is National School Bus Safety week, we urge students, parents, teachers, and the community to keep school bus safety a priority year-round,” said Colonel Williamson, Commander of the SC Highway Patrol. “We are encouraging motorists to slow down, watch for children, and know when to stop for a school bus. The South Carolina Highway Patrol has a long and valued partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education in promoting school bus safety, but each and every member of the community can join in this partnership by helping keep children safe.”

For more information on the Department of Public Safety’s school bus safety campaign, including videos and educational materials, visit https://scdps.sc.gov/tz/backtoschoolsafety.

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