Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Office of School Bus Safety
 (003).jpg)
Advancing the safety of student transportation in New Jersey
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)
25 feet away from a school bus is closer to safety.
When a school bus has stopped – yellow flashing lights mean take caution and slow down, there may be students present. Red flashing lights mean STOP. The “passing stopped school buses” law falls under statute 39:4-128.1. This law explains how to pass a school bus properly and safely when allowed.
A violation of these laws results in a $100 fine, and up to 15 days in jail or up to 15 days community service for a first offense. For subsequent offenses, violators can receive a $250 fine or more and up to 15 days in jail. Five points are added to a driver’s record for each offense.
Please, drive safely and help keep our students safe.