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In a four-year time span, there were 26 crashes involving a school bus in Washington County.
From 2016 to 2020, there were three crashes in Monroe County, four in Noble County and seven in Morgan County.
August is School Bus Safety Month and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding people it is the law to stop for a stopped school bus.
Ohio Revised Code section 4511.75 states effective in October 2009, motorists approaching a school bus from either direction are required to stop at least 10 feet back from buses displaying red flashing lights and an extended stop arm.
Drivers may not resume driving until the school bus begins moving. Passing a stopped school bus could result in a fine of up to $500.
Sgt. Dustin Payne of the Marietta Post of the Highway Patrol said this hasn't been a problem in Washington County, it is just a "concerned focus".
He said they try to make themselves more visible when school starts as a reminder of the law.
"We try to ride a bus or two. We'll have a cruiser behind it to point out if someone passes without stopping," he said. "We'll be there to make that stop."
He said with COVID restrictions, he wasn't sure if they would be able to do a ridealong this coming school year.
As the school year begins at different times throughout the county, Payne said they try to stress school bus safety in August.
The patrol also reminds motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time for school bus stops.
OSHP troopers wrote almost 14,000 citations for passing a stopped school bus and other school zone violations from 2016 to 2020. In that same time span, more than 5,800 traffic crashes involving school buses occurred in Ohio.
"All Ohioans can help make this school year a safe one," said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in a press statement. "School bus safety involves a commitment from motorists, parents, and children."
The ORC states school buses must also be inspected twice a year to ensure the bus is operating properly. Every bus used to transport students is inspected before the beginning of the school year and once randomly during the year.
The patrol performed 149,833 inspections from 2016 to 2020.
Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.
School
Bus
Safety
∫ August is School Bus Safety Month.
∫ From 2016 to 2020, there were 26 bus crashes in Washington County involving a school bus.
∫ Motorists are required to stop at least 10 feet back from buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm.
∫Drivers may not resume driving until the school bus begins moving.
∫ Not stopping for a school bus could result in a fine of no more than $500.
Source: Ohio State
Highway
Patrol