SCHOOL BUS SAFETY: Michael Berk, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association, shared a letter with the Era newsroom, reminding us and our readers that this week is National School Bus Safety Week.

Berk noted that during this week, students, parents, school bus operators, teachers, state officials, school administrators, motorists and other interested parties join together to reinforce the importance of school bus safety in schools and communities.

The theme for this year’s School Bus Safety Week is, “Red Lights Mean STOP” which reminds drivers to pay extra special attention during this time of the year when school buses are out on the roads.

Berk requests that motorists watch for stopped buses and children crossing as they board their buses for their morning trip to school and exit buses as they return home in the afternoon. Statistics show that school buses are the safest way to transport students to and from school every day. Today’s school buses are equipped with flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors, and stop-sign arms. In addition, they also have protective seating, high crash standards, rollover protection features, and are designed to be highly visible.

Today’s school buses are tougher, cleaner, safer, and more diligently maintained than ever before. In addition, these buses are staffed by a dedicated workforce of experienced drivers well trained in safety procedures.

The Pennsylvania School Bus Association (PSBA) would like to recognize Pennsylvania’s school bus drivers; these “safety heroes” transport approximately 1.5 million students each day, traveling over 400 million miles a year.