Local drivers are, for the most part, back in the habit of obeying safety laws regarding school buses on the roads. But during this National School Bus Safety Week, it is important to remind ourselves not only of the rules but why they are so necessary.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the danger is not just for those still riding on a bus. Between 2013 and 2022, there were 1.5 times more fatalities among pedestrians than occupants of buses — 169 people were killed. During that time, 111 school-aged children died in school bus-related crashes. Crucially, between 2000-2022 there were 55 fatalities in crashes that involved a driver illegally passing a stopped school bus, with almost half of those deaths being pedestrians under the age of 18.

Since 2023, 2,213 school bus-related crashes occurred in Ohio, resulting in 293 injuries.

If a bus’ stop warnings — red flashing lights and stop sign arm — are activated, the rule is simple. Stop. And be mindful of the danger zone around a bus: 10 feet in front of the bus, where the driver may be sitting too high to see a child; 10 feet on either side of the bus, where a child may be in the driver’s blind spots; and behind the school bus.

For those driving near a bus, yellow flashing lights indicate a bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be stepping up patrols in school zones and around school buses this week to hammer home the point. But it shouldn’t take the fear of fines or citations to get drivers to do the right thing.

Children going to and from school on a bus aren’t thinking about staying safe from the actions of drivers around the bus or the bus stop. It doesn’t matter whether we’re in a hurry, or did a poor job planning our route, it’s OUR responsibility to follow the rules and keep them safe.