Today, BusPatrol, a school bus safety company, is issuing a reminder to drivers: protect our kids – stop for school buses. Millions of travelers are expected to be in the area during the spring break travel season, as Miami-Dade students return from their break, below are some educational resources on when to stop for a school bus.
Steve Randazzo, Chief Growth Officer at BusPatrol said, “At BusPatrol, student safety is our top priority, both on the road and through driver education on school bus safety. Motorists play a crucial role in protecting children by following traffic laws and safety protocols near school buses. As students return from spring break, it’s more important than ever for drivers to stay alert and drive with caution. By working together, we can ensure every child travels to and from school safely.”
School Bus Safety:
– Two-lane road: Traffic traveling in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a stopped school bus displaying a stop signal.
– Multi-lane road: On a multi-lane roadway without a barrier or raised median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus.
– Divided highway with a median: The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic.
Watch here or by clicking the picture below.
Ahead of the 2024-25 school year, BusPatrol began installing stop-arm cameras on school buses in Miami, at no cost to the district, to curb dangerous driving. During the summer and into the beginning of the school year, BusPatrol was educating the community and visiting schools to ensure all drivers understand the seriousness of stopping for school buses and to educate students about road safety.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools transports over 40,000 students to and from school daily, operating a fleet of 1000 buses. This program is implemented with the goal of changing driver’s behavior and protecting precious cargo, our young students, on the road.
BusPatrol was featured on the Today Show at the start of the school year, bringing national attention to the challenges children face on their commute in Miami-Dade. The segment also shows dangerous close calls captured through BusPatrol technology.
A report released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reveals the number of violations issued by law enforcement from these illegal passes. The report recommended a more frequent review of stop-arm violation and school zone speeding data and in-person traffic safety workshops for school districts, law enforcement jurisdictions, partner state agencies, and vendors to collaborate.
For more information on BusPatrol and to learn more about school bus safety, click here.