Full Notification

Rialto, Calif. – As part of National School Bus Safety Week October 18-22, Rialto Police Department supports efforts throughout the state to encourage drivers to always stop for school buses for the safety of children.
 
Held annually during the third week of October, National School Bus Safety Week is a way for parents, children, teachers, bus drivers, school administrators, and law enforcement to promote traveling to and from school by bus as a safe transportation option. This year’s theme is "1 Bus + 1 Driver = a BIG Impact on Education.”
 
While riding the bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school, an alarming number of drivers illegally pass school buses who have their red lights activated. From October 2017 to October 2019, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) cited nearly 1,200 drivers for illegally passing a school bus during school zone safety operations.
 
During National School Bus Safety Week, Rialto Police Department will have additional officers on school buses and patrolling bus routes looking for drivers who do not stop for flashing red school bus lights.
 
When a school bus flashes its red lights (located at the top front and back of the bus), drivers in both directions must stop until the children are safely across the street and the lights stop flashing. If a bus is on the other side of a divided street or street with two or more lanes in each direction, drivers do not need to stop but should slow down and look for children.
 
“There is no justification for passing a stopped school bus,” Mark Kling, Police Chief said. “A minor inconvenience is not worth endangering our children. All drivers should look out for students in school zones.
 
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 
 
Natalie Aguirre                                                                                               Date: October 18, 2021
Community Outreach Specialist
(909) 421-4924
[email protected]