The Susanville Police Department has issued a serious safety warning to local drivers as the community observes National School Bus Safety Week, which runs from October 20th to 24th. The department is strongly urging all motorists to slow down and exercise extreme caution around school buses to prevent fatal accidents.
The SPD press release emphasizes the critical danger posed by drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus. When a school bus stop-arm is out and the red lights are flashing, drivers must come to a complete and immediate stop.
Alarming Fatalities Highlight Risk
The reminder is prompted by an “alarming number” of drivers who fail to comply with the law, creating perilous situations for students.
The consequences of this illegal behavior are dire, according to national data. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that from 2000 to 2023, there were 61 fatalities in crashes involving drivers illegally passing a stopped school bus. Tragically, almost half of those deaths (26 individuals) were people 18 years old or younger who were walking.
Understanding California Law
The SPD stressed that California law is clear and has few exceptions:
- Drivers are required to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights.
- Drivers must remain stopped until the red lights are turned off and children are completely on or off the bus and safely out of the road.
The Susanville Police Department encourages all drivers to follow the safety laws to ensure a safe commute for all students throughout the school year.
