Protect Our Kids: Toolkit Boosts Awareness for National School Bus Safety Week

National School Bus Safety Week is October 21 – 25, and we are launching a free toolkit to help communities keep kids safe!

This year’s theme, “Zero In on School Bus Safety,” is more important than ever. Did you know that millions of drivers illegally pass stopped school buses every year? According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), that number jumped to a staggering 45.2 million last year!

Why is this so dangerous? School buses are the safest way for kids to get to and from school, but a driver ignoring flashing lights and a stop arm puts those children at risk.

At Verra Mobility, we believe we can do better. That’s why we’ve created the “Zero In on School Bus Safety Toolkit”. This free resource provides schools and organizations with everything they need to raise awareness about safe driving practices around school buses.

What’s included in the toolkit?

• Social media posts: Share these messages to spread the word about School Bus Safety Week and encourage safe driving behavior.
• Statistics: Back up your message with facts and figures about the dangers of illegal passing.
• Video: Eye-catching visuals can make a lasting impact. By seeing actual violations, people are more likely to associate the illegal act with the dangers to children.

Download the toolkit today and make a difference!

School Bus Stop Arm Technology

We go beyond awareness campaigns. We offer a school bus stop arm program that utilizes cameras to automatically detect vehicles that illegally pass a stopped bus. This technology not only discourages dangerous driving but also helps hold violators accountable.

Here’s how it works:

• When a bus stops and extends its stop arm, the camera activates.
• Any vehicle that illegally passes the bus is recorded on video, capturing the license plate and the extended stop arm.
• Studies show this program is highly effective. Verra Mobility reports a 98% reduction in repeat violations, and some programs see a 70% decrease in citations issued over the course of a school year.

Let’s work together to make sure every child arrives at school safely!

For more information on Verra Mobility’s school bus stop arm safety program, visit verramobility.com/government/school-bus-safety/.