SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

Stand Back from the Yellow and Black.
School Bus Safety Week reminds students, parents and motorists of their important role in school bus safety.
Fannin County – Georgia celebrates National School Bus Safety Week on October 22-26, 2012 and Georgia School Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Monday, October 22nd. Schools and safety advocates throughout the Peach State are using the week as an opportunity to highlight the importance of school bus safety. The 2012 theme for the week, Stand Back from the Yellow and Black, reminds students of the 12 foot Danger Zone that surrounds a stopped school bus. But motorists should also be reminded of their important role in stopping and exercising care and patience when a school bus flashes its red lights and extends its stop arm.

“As drivers, we have a responsibility to students everywhere to know and obey the school bus laws,” said Benny Long. Fannin County School System is pleased to bring attention to this important public safety topic during National School Bus Safety Week.”

“When transportation is required, school buses are the safest way for students to get to and from school,” said Long. “This week is an excellent time to teach and reiterate to students and parents simple measures they can take while going to and from the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding in the bus. It also gives us a chance to thank and honor the professional school bus drivers who devote themselves to transporting our most precious cargo.”

For years, school buses have provided safe access to learning for Georgia’s school children through secure and dependable transportation to schools. The safety of the yellow school bus is unparalleled by any other means of automotive transportation. School buses are equipped with more safety features than any other vehicle and are required to meet numerous safety specifications, including state and federal requirements. In addition, all public school bus operators receive rigorous, specialized training on a variety of topics before they can take the wheel behind the big yellow bus.

More than one million students ride the school bus in Georgia each day, with more than 26 million school children transported in 480,000 school buses nationwide.