Sonora, CA…As part of its ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety throughout the state, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), will be conducting a school bus pedestrian safety enforcement operation focusing on motorists who fail to stop for a school bus with its flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended (if equipped). The enforcement operation will take place on August 24, 2017 at various roads within Tuolumne County.

In October 2016, the California Association of School Transportation Officials reached out to the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol for assistance concerning school bus pedestrian safety. The school bus officials provided the results of the annual California Department of Education School Bus Illegal Passing Driver Survey. The one-day survey, of 137 school districts and nine school bus contractors, revealed that throughout the state, over 26,000 motorists failed to stop for a school bus that was stopped to load or unload pupils. As a staunch leader in traffic safety, the CHP answered the call by initiating school bus pedestrian safety enforcement operations.

During the enforcement operations, CHP officers will ride as passengers on school buses and actively watch for motorists who fail to stop for a school bus with its flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended (if equipped). The officers will be in communication with CHP patrol vehicles in the proximity of the school bus. Drivers who are observed illegally passing a school bus during the safety operation will be stopped by an officer and issued a warning, or traffic citation.

This project is designed to educate and remind motorists, parents, and students of the importance of school bus pedestrian safety. This message will be conveyed by distributing school bus pedestrian safety tip cards; posters displayed at schools; and in video clips on social media.