With a coverage area of more than 240 square miles, Location of West Holmesal has one of the largest bus route systems in the state, as students are taken to and from school to townships and rural communities.
And too many cars on the road are ignoring safety laws, illegally passing buses, or ignoring flashing red lights when students are being picked up or dropped off.
National School Bus Safety Weekwhich will take place from October 17 to 21, aims to encourage drivers to slow down, be alert and use best practices on the road.
In the first six weeks of the school year, West Holmes bus drivers have seen 19 red light violations, where vehicles ignore and drive through the flashing lights of a stopped bus, according to district officials.
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There were more than 50 violations between January and the end of last school year, according to Coreena Johnson, transportation coordinator for West Holmes.
“I blame it on ignorance,” Johnson said. “People just aren’t paying attention; they’re in a hurry. They don’t want to stop for those 30 seconds it takes to get the kids off the bus and across the street to safety. Slow down. It’s not worth the kid’s life.” Stop, wait for the child to get off the bus and go ahead.”
Johnson hopes to coordinate efforts with businesses and fire departments across the county to put messages on their electric signs about school bus safety. He would also like the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office to dedicate units in the morning and afternoon to follow some school buses during the week.
Matt Wyatt, transportation supervisor for the Orrville School District, said having a police presence doesn’t always help the situation.
“We had a lady fly by when a bus was making a stop on US 30, with a police officer sitting right in front of the bus in the median,” Wyatt said. “She got a ticket but told the officer she didn’t even see the bus. She was more worried about getting a speeding ticket when she saw the state trooper. How can you miss a big yellow bus with all those flashing lights?”
Wyatt said he uses School Bus Safety Week to show his drivers his appreciation for their work. Orrville drivers will have an upcoming four-hour training where they will work on safety and driving tips.
The theme for National School Bus Safety Week 2022 is “1 Bus + 1 Driver = a BIG Impact on Education.” The theme was selected from last year’s poster contest.
School bus transportation plays a vital role in the education of students and is the direct link between a neighborhood and the classroom, according to the Ohio Department of Education. With more than 25 million children across the country going to school every day, the week serves as a reminder for students, parents, teachers and the community to keep school bus safety top of mind.
District transportation coordinators say School Bus Safety Week is a good time to review safety tips as winter approaches and daylight hours get shorter.
Here are some rules that students must follow while riding the bus, from the Ohio Department of Education.
On the way to the bus:
In the bus stop:
When riding the bus:
Contact Kevin Lynch at 234-249-5294 or klynch@gannett.com.
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