Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has launched a school bus safety campaign to coincide with the beginning of the 2024–25 school year this week.
A one-day survey on May 1, 2024, …
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transportation
SUSD raises awareness for school bus safety
Hundreds of drivers illegally pass every day
Courtesy Scottsdale Unified School District
While students go back to school, Scottsdale Unified School District is campaigning for school bus safety: "Bus top means full stop."
Posted
Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has launched a school bus safety campaign to coincide with the beginning of the 2024–25 school year this week.
A one-day survey on May 1, 2024, conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, found that on that day alone, 57 SUSD bus drivers reported 144 instances of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses that had their stop sign arms extended, according to a press release.
“This number is not just concerning — it’s a wake-up call,” SUSD Transportation Director David Jacobson said in the release. “The safety of our students is a top priority, and the fact that 144 vehicles ignored the stop signs in a single day highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and stricter enforcement of traffic laws regarding school buses.”
During the first two weeks of the new school year, Scottsdale Police Department’s traffic unit will conduct heavy traffic enforcement, according to Chief Jeff Walther.
The SUSD campaign includes:
Increasing public awareness through various channels such as social media, local news and community events.
Working closely with local law enforcement to ensure stricter enforcement of traffic laws around school buses.
Providing educational materials for students and parents about school bus safety laws and pedestrian best practices.
Placing visible signs and banners in and around SUSD school zones to remind drivers to stop when school buses have stop signs extended.
Arizona, like all states, requires motorists approaching from either direction, to stop before reaching a stopped school bus that is displaying its flashing red lights or has its stop arm extended, the release explained. Drivers must remain stopped until the school bus either begins moving again or the driver turns off the flashing red lights and withdraws the stop sign.
A person who is responsible for violating this law is subject to a minimum civil penalty of $250 for the first violation. For every additional violation within a period of 36 months, the civil penalties increase to $750 and $1,000 and driver license suspensions.
SUSD urges all community members to participate in the school bus safety campaign. For more information, visit susd.org/transportation.
