Police Urge Drivers To Use Caution As School Is Back In Session In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Labor Day marks the end of the summer and the beginning of the new school year for millions of students across the United States.

"Many of the students in our area arrive at school on school buses. While the school bus is one of the safest methods of transportation, illegal school bus passing is a significant threat to students and their caregivers," said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr.

In cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety and Traffic Safety Advocates across the state of New Jersey, Law Enforcement in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties urge all motorists, students and caregivers to exercise caution while at or around school buses and school bus stops.

The National Safety Council reports that in 2023, a total of 128 people were killed in school bus-related crashes and 11,600 were injured.

In New Jersey, it is illegal for vehicle drivers to pass a school bus while the school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing.

Vehicle drivers must always come to a complete stop when a school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing. They are required to remain stopped until the lights are off and the stop-arm and sign are retracted.

Safety Reminders for Parents and Caregivers

• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early
• Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus
• Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus
• Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus
• Be sure the bus driver can always see you, and you can see the bus driver
• Before crossing the street, stop and look left-right-left before crossing. Make sure approaching drivers see you

Safety Reminders for Motorists

• The overall best practice is to “always stop if there’s a school bus"
• Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
• Motorists may begin moving only when the red flashing lights are turned off, the stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move
• Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results
• The greatest risk to a child isn’t riding a school bus but approaching or leaving one. That’s why, as a vehicle driver, it is especially important to pay attention. Students’ lives are on the line
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops
• Don’t drive distracted. Be alert. Children arriving for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic
• Watch out for young people who may be distracted and not paying attention to the traffic around them.

For more information on illegal school bus passing, visit nhtsa.gov/school-bus-safety/reducing-illegal-passing-school-buses.