SOMERVILLE, N.J. (Somerset County) — With Labor Day signaling both the end of summer and the start of the new school year, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr. are reminding motorists, students, and caregivers to prioritize school bus safety.
“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. 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,” officials said in a joint statement.
According to the National Safety Council, 128 people were killed and 11,600 injured in school bus-related crashes nationwide in 2023. In New Jersey, drivers are prohibited from passing a school bus when its stop-arm is extended and red lights are flashing. Motorists must remain stopped until the lights are off and the stop-arm retracted.
Officials provided safety reminders for both parents and motorists. Parents and caregivers are urged to arrive at the bus stop early, stand at least 10 feet from the road, ensure children walk in front of the bus, and make sure clothing or bags don’t get caught when boarding or exiting.
Motorists are advised to “always stop if there’s a school bus,” watch for flashing yellow or red lights, and never pass on the right side of a bus. They are also urged to slow down, avoid distractions, and watch for children who may dart into the street or walk near bus stops.
“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,” officials noted.
For more information about illegal school bus passing, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at nhtsa.gov.
