Columbia, South Carolina, October 24, 2025
News Summary
In line with National School Bus Safety Week, South Carolina’s Department of Education and Public Safety hosted a press conference to promote critical safety practices for the state’s 340,000 daily student transportations. With over 3,901 reported violations of illegally passing school buses, officials emphasized the need for increased driver awareness and compliance with traffic laws, particularly around loading and unloading school buses. Notable safety enhancements to the school bus fleet aim to ensure safer transportation for students across the state.
Columbia, South Carolina – In conjunction with National School Bus Safety Week, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) held a press conference on Tuesday morning to promote awareness of school bus safety. Observed from October 20-24, this initiative aims to underscore critical safety practices for transporting students, as approximately 340,000 students are transported daily by school buses in South Carolina.
School buses in the state make around 200,000 stops every day, reflecting the significant daily impact they have on student commuting. During the press conference, officials emphasized that the greatest danger for students lies outside the bus, especially during loading and unloading periods. The most hazardous area for students is within 10 feet of the bus.
Last school year, South Carolina reported over 3,901 instances of illegally passing a school bus, highlighting the need for enhanced driver awareness and compliance with established traffic laws. The counties that reported the highest number of stop arm violations include York, Greenville, Horry, and Lexington. Specific locations in Lexington County, such as the intersections of Augusta Road and Pinecrest Avenue, Princeton Road, and Ramblin Road, were identified as hotspots for violations.
To enhance safety, SC Highway Patrol Commander Col. Christopher Williamson urged drivers to comply with school bus laws and emphasized that the safety of children relies heavily on driver vigilance.
In response to safety concerns, the state has made significant improvements to its school bus fleet. Efforts have included cutting the average age of school buses in South Carolina in half. Additional safety measures now include the installation of stop-arm cameras on 450 buses to document violations, along with the incorporation of collision avoidance and stability control systems to improve overall safety.
To further assist parents and guardians, new 3D GPS tablets have been implemented in buses, allowing for real-time tracking of pickups and enabling parents to monitor bus locations more effectively. These advancements are part of a broader push to ensure safe transportation for students.
Officials encourage parents and teachers to remind children about proper bus stop safety. This includes waiting away from the road and strictly following the bus driver’s signals when boarding or disembarking from the bus. Additionally, drivers in school zones are reminded to remain vigilant and to obey signs requiring them to stop for school buses. Violating these regulations can result in severe penalties, including hefty fines, points added to driver’s licenses, and possible jail time.
As school bus safety efforts continue, the collaboration between SCDE and SCDPS aims not only to enhance awareness but also ensure that the safety of student transportation remains a top priority across South Carolina.
FAQ
What is the purpose of National School Bus Safety Week?
The purpose of National School Bus Safety Week, observed from October 20-24, is to promote awareness of school bus safety.
How many students are transported daily by school buses in South Carolina?
Approximately 340,000 students are transported daily by school buses in South Carolina.
What safety features have been improved in the South Carolina school bus fleet?
Recent safety improvements to the school bus fleet include cutting the average age of school buses in the state in half, installing stop-arm cameras on 450 buses, adding collision avoidance and stability control systems, and implementing new 3D GPS tablets for real-time tracking.
What are the penalties for illegally passing a school bus in South Carolina?
Drivers face severe penalties for illegally passing a school bus, including fines, points added to their licenses, and potentially jail time.
| Key Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Daily Students Transported | Approximately 340,000 students transported daily. |
| Daily School Bus Stops | About 200,000 stops made every day across the state. |
| Reported Violations | Over 3,901 reports of illegally passing a school bus last year. |
| Installations of Safety Technology | Stop-arm cameras installed on 450 buses, collision avoidance systems added. |
| New Technology for Monitoring | 3D GPS tablets implemented for real-time bus tracking. |
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News
- WLTX
- WACH
- ABC Columbia
- WCNC
- Wikipedia: School Bus Safety
- Google Search: School Bus Safety South Carolina
- Google Scholar: School Bus Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Bus
- Google News: School Bus Safety South Carolina
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