School Bus Safety Week

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NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK IS OCT. 20-24, 2025

For immediate release:
October 19, 2025

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. – National School Bus Safety Week begins tomorrow, and the state Department of Motor Vehicles urges caution around the 500,000 students transported each day in Connecticut.

This year’s theme of National School Bus Safety Week, which runs October 20-24, 2025, is “Safety First, Safety Always.”

DMV inspects every school bus at least once a year prior to the vehicle’s registration, as well as administers testing and licensing of school bus operators and other safety-related activities.

“While our inspectors work very hard to ensure that school buses are operating properly, safety is everyone’s responsibility,” DMV Commissioner Tony Guerrera said. “When approaching a school bus, motorists should take extra care and be aware of flashing red lights telling them to stop.”

Here are some safety tips for drivers:

Never pass a stopped school bus. The fine for this violation is $475.
Be sure to have your eyes not only on the bus, but also the area surrounding it. Children wait at least several feet away from a bus stop and often cross the street when they’re boarding or getting off the bus.
Drive slowly. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.

Students and parents can also protect themselves by following some rules, too. They should familiarize themselves with and observe the following rules:

Be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it is okay before stepping on the bus.
Never walk behind the bus. If your child must cross the street, tell them to walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street to a place at least 10 feet – five giant steps – in front of the bus before crossing, and to make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing.

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