October 19, 2026
National School Bus Safety Week is observed each year to raise awareness about the importance of school bus safety and the role everyone plays in protecting students as they travel to and from school.
School buses are one of the safest ways for students to travel, but keeping children safe requires the attention and cooperation of motorists, school bus drivers, students, and the community.
Stop for School Buses
One of the most important things motorists can do is obey school bus safety laws. When a school bus activates its red flashing lights and extends its stop arm, drivers must stop as required by law. These signals indicate that children may be entering or exiting the bus and crossing the roadway.
Motorists should never attempt to pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Children may be difficult to see, and a moment of impatience can have life-changing consequences.
Watch for Children
Children may not always pay attention to surrounding traffic when approaching or leaving a school bus. Drivers should slow down in school zones, watch for children near bus stops, and remain alert during the morning and afternoon hours when buses are most active.
Never assume a child will see an approaching vehicle or wait for traffic to stop before crossing the road.
Help Keep School Bus Stops Safe
Parents and guardians can help by teaching children to wait a safe distance from the roadway, follow their bus driver's instructions, and look both ways before crossing. Children should always cross the street several feet in front of the bus, where the driver can see them, and never walk behind the bus.
A Shared Responsibility
School bus safety is a responsibility shared by the entire community. By remaining alert, following traffic laws, and exercising patience around school buses, we can help ensure students arrive at school and return home safely each day.
During National School Bus Safety Week, the Chambersburg Fire Department encourages all motorists to slow down, stay alert, and remember that
when a school bus stops, children’s safety comes first. 
