National School Bus Safety Week

National School Bus Safety Week is October 19-23

Reduce speed and be ready when school buses stop

Pomona, Calif. - This National School Bus Safety Week, the Pomona Police Department reminds drivers that when a school bus stop-arm is out and the red lights are flashing, drivers must come to a complete stop until the red lights are off, and children are on or off the bus and safely out of the road.

With few exceptions, California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on. Children walking is depending on every driver to follow the law and protect them.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2000-2024, 63 people were killed in crashes involving a driver illegally passing a school bus with flashing red lights. Among those killed, 27 were people 18 years old or younger.

During National School Bus Safety Week, officers will monitor crosswalks and areas surrounding the schools for drivers who do not yield for bike riders or people walking, are speeding or illegally passing a school bus. The enforcement period will run from October 19th to October 23rd.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.