Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Office of School Bus Safety
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)
Did You Know?
When left in a vehicle, heatstroke can occur when the outside temperature is as low as 60 degrees. The inside temperature of any vehicle can increase rapidly, and a child’s body temperature rises 3-5 times faster than an adult’s. It is significantly important to ensure that no child is left behind in a school bus, especially when in warmer weather conditions. According to the NHTSA, “no amount of time is safe for a child to be left in a vehicle. You say you’d never forget them - but never happens.” Although school is out for the summer, many school activities continue through the hot summer months. It is critical that all student transportation drivers continue to inspect their vehicles at the end of every route, and ensure they are prepared for any type of situation that may occur. Help keep our students safe this summer.