Big Bear, CA October 19, 2015 – More than one million children ride school buses in California every day. The California Highway Patrol joins the observation of National School Bus Safety Week, October 19-23, to help recognize that school buses are the safest way for children to get to and from school.
It takes a collective effort from the public, transportation professionals, government agencies, law enforcement, parents, and children to continue to protect California’s students. The fact that California has not had a pupil passenger fatality in 20 years is no accident. The CHP helps protect student safety through its School Bus Program and its school bus inspection program.
The School Bus Program includes an array of tests for bus drivers, a criminal investigation, health qualifications, and interviews with CHP officers. The Department of Education and the Department of Motor Vehicles also set standards for bus drivers. The CHP is responsible for inspecting more than 24,000 school buses each year.
California may have the best pupil passenger safety record in the nation, but there is always a need for help from the driving public. When the flashing red lights and stop arm on a school bus are activated, drivers are required by law to stop until the flashing red lights and stop arm have been deactivated. If they can do so safely, people should also report drivers who illegally pass school buses. Most important of all, slow down and watch for children around school buses.
The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California.
