COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers and school districts across the state to prioritize school bus safety as students prepare to return to classrooms. With buses soon back on the road, officials say now is the time for motorists to refresh their understanding of school bus laws and for districts to ensure their fleets are fully inspected.
Governor Mike DeWine said every student in Ohio deserves a safe ride to and from school, stressing that drivers must stay alert, avoid distractions, and follow posted speed limits as summer break comes to an end.
According to OSHP data, Ohio has recorded 7,179 traffic crashes involving school buses since 2021. Six of those crashes were fatal, resulting in six deaths, including one school‑aged student. Patrol officials say these numbers underscore the importance of following laws designed to protect children boarding and exiting buses.
Drivers are required to stop at least 10 feet from a school bus when its red lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended. This applies to two‑lane roads and roads with a center turn lane. On roads with four or more lanes or divided highways, only traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop. Motorists must remain stopped until the bus moves again or the driver signals that it is safe to proceed.
Beyond roadway safety, OSHP is also emphasizing the importance of school bus inspections. Roughly 800,000 Ohio students rely on school transportation daily, and ensuring buses are mechanically sound is a major part of the Patrol’s mission. In 2025, OSHP’s Licensing and Commercial Standards section conducted 39,488 school bus inspections statewide.
Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent, said the inspection process begins long before students step into the classroom. While Ohio law requires one annual inspection for school transportation vehicles, the Patrol conducts a second inspection to identify and correct mechanical issues before they pose risks to students or other drivers.
The public is encouraged to safely call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers or drug activity on Ohio roadways.