OHSP reminds drivers of school bus laws

(WKBN) — Schools will welcome students back to the classroom in the coming weeks, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol says the safety of the students riding to and from school is its top priority.

Since 2019, there have been 6,145 traffic crashes involving school buses in Ohio, according to OSHP. During this time, eight crashes involved fatalities, including one student killed on a school bus.

As the buses return to the roadways, OSHP offers a few legal reminders:

• Drivers are required to stop at least 10 feet in front of or behind a school bus when flashing lights and an extended arm are displayed.
• Drivers cannot resume driving until the school bus begins moving.

OSHP recommends that drivers plan ahead and allow extra time for delays caused by stopped buses.

School buses are also required to be inspected twice a year to ensure the bus is operating properly. Every bus used to transport students is inspected before the beginning of the school year and once randomly during the year.

Since 2019, OSHP has performed more than 200,000 inspections.

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