The Marshall Public Schools Transportation Department is reminding drivers to slow down and be aware of school buses in their communities as the district marks National School Bus Safety Week from October 20-24.

MPS Transportation Director Craig Thompson spoke to KMMO News about the laws in place regarding school buses. Thompson states that drivers have a legal responsibility to slow down and come to a complete stop when a school bus’s red lights are flashing and the stop-arm is extended.

 

Thompson also spoke about the school bus loading and unloading area, which is called the “Danger Zone.”

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1.5 times more fatalities among pedestrians (171) than occupants of school buses (113) in school-bus-related traffic crashes from 2014 to 2023. A total of 209 school-age children (18 and younger) died in school-bus-related crashes during that period, either as occupants of school buses or other vehicles, or on foot or bike. More information about school bus safety can be found here.