As part of National School Bus Safety Week, which runs through this Friday, Oct. 24, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) are delivering a critical message—reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert around school buses.
State officials warn that passing a stopped school bus doesn't just break the law, it puts children's lives at risk.
“Every child deserves to get to school and home safely," said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. "South Carolina has made major investments to modernize our buses and strengthen safety measures, but technology cannot replace responsibility. When you slow down and stay alert, you’re helping protect our students like they’re your own.”
Violating South Carolina’s school bus law can result in fines, points on your driver’s license, and even jail time. According to law enforcement, new cameras on school buses are helping to identify violators, leading to more fines issued for illegal passing.
"Just last school year, we received 3,901 reports statewide of drivers failing to stop for a school bus with the stop arm extended," said SC Highway Patrol Commander Colonel Christopher Williamson. "These laws exist to protect our children. Our troopers are committed to enforcing South Carolina's school bus laws and holding violators accountable to help keep kids safe. That's why we are asking drivers everywhere – do the right thing: put the phone down, slow down, stay alert, and stop when those red lights are flashing."
Over the last decade, South Carolina has taken a comprehensive approach to modernizing its school bus fleet. The SCDE has cut the average age of school buses by half, installed GPS hardware and software in all buses, and added more than 4,850 new buses to South Carolina's state fleet. Additional safety improvements include:
- Collison avoidance and stability control systems
- Rear motorist alert devices installed on more than 400 new buses
- Stop-arm cameras on 450 school buses to document violations
- Unique identification numbers on the top of new school buses to aid law enforcement during emergencies
SCDPS encourages parents and teachers to talk with students about the importance of safety before and after school—especially at the bus stop. For more information on the SCDPS school bus safety campaign, including videos and educational materials, visit https://www.scdps.gov/schoolbus.