School bus facts, stats and reports from NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis
The Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) project remains one of Indiana’s most dedicated, data-driven, and measurable projects focused on pedestrian safety during the hours of school bus operations. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services collaborates with the Indiana Department of Education to conduct a one-day survey recording instances of illegal passings of school buses. Results from the National School Bus Illegal Passing Survey reported by 4,910 school bus drivers in Indiana show that in a single day in 2023, more than 1,500 motorists illegally passed a stopped school bus.
SAVE projects utilize HVE in targeted areas where high rates of school bus stop arm violations occurred to prevent future violations. These areas are identified by law enforcement agencies, school corporations, school resource officers, and school bus drivers. Participating agencies were encouraged to follow school bus routes to provide on-the-spot enforcement, focusing on stop-arm violations, speeding, and reckless driving around school buses and in school zones when children are present.
In FY 2023, the participating law enforcement agencies increased awareness by working over 7,560 school hours between 509 officers across Indiana. Over 800 vehicles were stopped, and officers issued 5,299 citations and warnings to drivers. These interactions within the communities increased safety for children around school buses and all travelers on Indiana roadways.
ICJI prepares sample news releases to use in the fall and spring to remind Hoosiers about the project.
October 21-25, 2024 is National School Bus Safety Week and you'll see increased communication related to school bus safety. You can use any of the materials available on this page to increase your school bus safety messaging.
In addition, sample news releases can be downloaded and used during National School Bus Safety Week.
Additional Resources
- Toolkit: Planning Safer School Bus Stops and Routes
- Best Practices Guide: Reducing the Illegal Passing of School Buses
- NHTSA school bus image library
- NHTSA.gov School Bus Safety: English | Spanish
- Sign up to get campaign updates via email from Traffic Safety Marketing
Indiana Criminal Justice Institute