State Highway Patrol troopers will ride on various school buses during their respective routes to ensure that motorists stop for stopped school buses, First Sgt. Michael Baker stated Aug. 21.

More than 14,000 school buses are traveling the roadways, transporting over 790,000 children to and from schools across North Carolina.

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.”

Motorists are encouraged to follow these suggestions during morning and afternoon travel:

• Plan ahead for potential delays between the hours of 6-9 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
• Never pass a stopped school bus under any circumstance
• Reduce speed when approaching school zones
• Avoid driving distracted
• Be mindful of school bus stops along chosen routes
• Stay alert in and around school zones for pedestrians and crossing guards

In addition to riding buses, troopers statewide will increase their focus in and around school zones, monitoring driver behavior both before and after school.

While SHP and law enforcement across the state will be partnering to facilitate safe travel for students of every age, this responsibility must be shared by everyone.  With this in mind, motorists are encouraged to assist the Patrol in reporting dangerous drivers by dialing *HP (*47) from their mobile device.  Callers are requested to provide their location, nature of offense observed and description of the vehicle in question.