October 20-24, 2025, is National School Bus Safety Week — a movement that began right here in California in the 1970s and is recognized annually during the third full week of October.
This year, schools across Tuolumne County are uniting to creatively share safety information with families and the broader community. Our goal: to raise awareness, increase visibility, and remind drivers that every school bus carries our most precious cargo.
The iconic yellow color of school buses wasn’t chosen by accident — it’s a purposeful design meant to enhance visibility and communicate a clear message: children are on board, and their safety is a top priority.
Why School Bus Safety Matters
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More than 13,000 injuries occur each year in school bus–related crashes.
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Most incidents happen when students are getting on or off the bus.
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In a single day in 2022, over 51,000 drivers illegally passed stopped school buses.
While school buses are one of the safest modes of transportation, the moments before boarding and after exiting are when students are most at risk.
Safety Rules for Drivers
- Stop when the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
- Maintain a distance of at least 20 feet from the bus.
- This rule applies on all roads — public or private.
Raising awareness about these rules is vital for keeping children safe as they enter and exit the bus.
A Shared Mission
As Angela Howard, Transportation Manager at Summerville High, puts it:
“Our mission is to continue integrating all schools in developing an annual plan. We aim to reawaken this movement by establishing awareness, knowledge, and visibility for all drivers.”
Article Resources
October 20-24
National School Bus Safety Week, held each October, unites parents, educators, and the community to promote student transportation safety nationwide.
School Bus Safety
Learn more about school bus safety, including key tips for parents, students, and drivers, and find out how to keep kids safe during their bus rides. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for detailed resources.
NSBSW Poster Contest
Get creative and promote school bus safety by participating in the National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest. Open to students of all ages, this contest encourages young artists to share their vision of safe practices on and around school buses.