October 16-20, 2023: School Bus Safety Week

WHEREAS, riding on a school bus is the most efficient and safest form of transportation for schoolchildren as they are transported to and from school or school-related events; and,

WHEREAS, one school bus replaces 44 automobiles on the highway reducing crashes, air pollution, and fuel consumption; and,

WHEREAS, studies indicate schoolchildren are 9 times more likely to be fatally or seriously injured while riding in a car with an adult and 44 times more likely to be fatally or seriously injured when riding with a teenager to or from school than riding on a school bus; and,

WHEREAS, there are 820 school bus fleets in the state of Michigan, ranging in size from 1 to 1,255 school buses.  These fleets service both public and private school children, with the average size fleet being 20 buses; and,

WHEREAS, 18,500 highly trained school bus drivers safely transport school children on a daily basis. These drivers undergo basic and advanced driver training, performance testing, fingerprinting, continuous driver record and criminal background checks, random alcohol & drug testing, and biennial medical examinations; and,

WHEREAS, there are 16,803 school buses in service across our state, and all school buses must follow a rigorous local maintenance program and an annual Michigan State Police 190-point performance and safety inspection; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan is making bipartisan investments to reduce air and noise pollution from school buses by helping districts purchase electric buses from funding allocated in the financial year 2023-24 education budget; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan law requires motorists to prepare to stop when a school bus displays its overhead alternately flashing amber lights and to stop when a school bus displays its overhead alternately flashing red lights.  Further, when a school bus displays its hazard amber flashing lights, a motorist should proceed slowly and with caution while passing; and,

WHEREAS, approximately 533,106 early childhood, primary, and secondary students plus 38,260 special needs schoolchildren ride on a school bus to and from school each day; and,

WHEREAS, approximately 653,301 miles are logged each day by school buses, with the average bus traveling between 47 miles and 73 miles a day, and between 8,504 and 13,079 miles each year;