Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Office of School Bus Safety

Advancing the Safety of Student Transportation in New Jersey 

A school bus overlaying an image of the state of New Jersey with the words Education Compliance Enforcement The Office of School Bus Safety is committed to advancing the safety of student transportation in New Jersey through dedicated educational, compliance, and enforcement efforts. Our mission is to safeguard every student's journey, upholding the highest standards of safety in school transportation services.

Promoting Safety Through Education, Compliance, and Enforcement

“The safest way to transport children to and from school is by school bus. In fact, students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus instead of traveling by car.” (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - NHTSA)

The most dangerous aspect of school buses is loading and unloading. Unfortunately, some motorists fail to follow the rules by driving around the school bus and ignoring the flashing lights. This puts students in grave danger.

Most school bus-related accidents occur within a 10-foot radius around the bus, where the driver has limited visibility. This area is called the "danger zone." It extends to 30 feet in front of the bus. To avoid accidents, teach your child to use caution when getting on or off the bus and always to stay out of the danger zone.” (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - NJMVC)

Did You Know?

This year, Child Passenger Safety Week will be observed from Sunday, September 21, through Saturday, September 27. In addition, Saturday, September 27, is recognized as National Seat Check Saturday.

It is essential to ensure that car seats and other child transportation devices are properly installed and consistently used during student transportation. Students should always be secured correctly to help keep them safe.

The Office of School Bus Safety invites you to join us in recognizing this important week by making sure your drivers and aides:

  • Understand how to install and use car seats and other transportation devices properly,
  • Know how to secure students correctly, and
  • Routinely check to confirm that seats and straps have not shifted or loosened.

Many local law enforcement agencies offer free community car seat checks, which can serve as a valuable resource for your school district or bus company. You may also contact Safe Kids New Jersey to schedule training, ask questions, or seek additional guidance.

We wish everyone a safe and successful start to the new school year!

Annual Reports

Bus Safety Essentials

Contact Information

  • New Jersey Department of Education
    Office of School Bus Safety
    PO Box 500
    Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0500
    OfficeofSchoolBusSafety@doe.nj.gov

  • Parent Portal
    The Office of School Bus Safety has created a Parent Portal for parents to communicate their needs and concerns directly with the office. Please reach out to BusSafetyParents@doe.nj.gov.

Take Action to Improve School Bus Safety

Education

The Office of School Bus Safety hosts educational training throughout the State of New Jersey to provide information to key stakeholders such as parents, school districts, bus contractors, and more. Additional training is provided to new and existing school bus companies.  

Compliance

The Office of School Bus Safety will hold school bus companies and school districts accountable to New Jersey laws, statutes, and safety standards. The office reviews current statutes, training procedures, and various documents for updates and the need for new information.

Enforcement

The Office of School Bus Safety has established partnerships to develop a force multiplier system across the State of New Jersey.  

Technical Assistance

The Office of School Bus Safety provides technical support as needed. For questions, submitting reports, or all other inquiries please send an email to OfficeofSchoolBusSafety@doe.nj.gov.