Motorists in Gloucester and Mathews counties have probably noticed something new this week in their morning commutes … the return of the school bus.
Classes began in the two counties on Monday, ahead of the traditional post-Labor Day opening.
While school buses are statistically the safest way for children to get to and from school each day, data shows that the most dangerous part of that trip for students is when they are getting on and off the bus. From 2000 to 2021, there were 53 people killed in crashes in the U.S. involving a driver illegally passing a school bus. More than 79,000 school bus drivers reported 51,500 vehicles illegally passing their buses in a single day during the 2020-2021 school year across the U.S. Using that number, that means in an average year school buses were passed nearly 9.3 million times.
Knowing that school buses will be out there picking up children, do yourself a favor. Give yourself a few more minutes on your morning commute. Always stop for a school...