Official Site of The State of 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)

The warmer weather is upon us as school’s shift to their spring learning. More students will begin riding their bicycles to school while other pedestrian riders are traveling on the road too. Children under the age of 17 are required to wear a helmet for safety. Lights, reflectors, bells, bright clothing, protective gear, and other tools can help ensure the rider is seen by oncoming traffic. NJ state requirements must be followed by riders such as obeying traffic rules and signals, safe lane positioning, and riding in the same direction as traffic instead of against it. Knowing hand signals for making turns can be extremely beneficial for vehicles to prepare for a change in the bicycle’s direction. Did you know – bicycles must stop for a school bus that has its red lights activated, just like other vehicles. It is against the law for any vehicle, including a bicycle, to pass a stopped school bus. Never pass a school bus on the right to prevent accidents involving students loading or unloading. Be aware of the school bus safety zone and blind spots. Vehicles traveling around bicyclists must obey NJ state requirements such as the Safe Passing Law – slow down, move over a lane if possible, and maintain a distance of 4 feet when passing a pedestrian or cyclist. Have fun, share the road, and stay safe.