RALEIGH – In anticipation of the upcoming school year, the State Highway Patrol is focusing on safety in and around school zones. Motorists should be aware of an increase in school traffic and familiarize themselves with local school bus stop locations. Teen drivers will also increase as some will be driving to and from school for the first time. Drivers should also expect an increase in pedestrian traffic in and around school zones.
“Ensuring the safety of students as they travel to and from school is a responsibility shared by everyone”, said Col. Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Our mission is to educate the motoring public on safe driving behaviors before, during and after school.”
Troopers statewide will monitor school bus routes, attempting to ensure motorists comply with stopping for school buses as they pick up and release students.
According to state law, motorists are required to stop when a school bus is displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights and the bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers. The driver of any other vehicle that approaches the school bus from any direction on the same street, highway, or public vehicular area shall bring that other vehicle to a full stop and shall remain stopped.
Officials also encourage students to ensure all traffic has stopped before entering the roadway when boarding or exiting their respective school bus.
In an attempt to increase safety and awareness, SHP is using social media to highlight a “Back to School” PSA, which can be viewed by vising the Patrol’s Facebook page. A digital copy of the PSA is available upon request.