As the 2025–2026 school year begins, the Rossville Consolidated School District is reminding motorists to be alert for school buses and children traveling to and from school. The safety of our students is a shared responsibility, and drivers play a vital role in protecting children during one of the most hazardous parts of their day: loading and unloading from the school bus.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), students are 70 times more likely to arrive at school safely when traveling by bus rather than by car. Despite this, the area around a stopped bus, often called the “danger zone”, poses serious risks due to reduced visibility and the potential for careless driving by passing motorists.
To keep our students safe, NHTSA recommends the following safety guidelines for children riding the bus:
Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before departure.
Stand at least five giant steps (10 feet) back from the curb when the bus approaches.
Wait until the bus stops, doors open, and the driver signals before boarding.
When crossing the street, walk ahead of the bus at least five giant steps and ensure the driver sees you.
Always use handrails when boarding or exiting the bus and keep belongings secure.
Please don’t walk behind the bus or attempt to retrieve dropped items without first notifying the driver.
Rossville school buses are equipped with dual stop arms, flashing red lights, wig-wag headlights, GPS, and stop arm cameras, which record footage that may be used to prosecute those who illegally pass a stopped bus. Our local police department also follows buses periodically to enforce traffic safety laws. Most importantly, our buses are operated by trained, caring professionals who prioritize the safety of every child.
The importance of this issue was underscored by the 2025 National Stop Arm Violation Survey, which included participation from 176 Indiana school districts. The one-day statewide survey on April 22 recorded:
1,463 stop arm violations
655 violations in the morning
49 mid-day
759 in the afternoon
Violations occurred most often at the front of the bus (1,232) and on the left side (1,431)
Over the school year, Indiana saw:
263,340 total stop arm violations
Including 117,900 in the morning, 8,820 mid-day, and 136,620 in the afternoon
Violations occurred most frequently on the left side of the bus (257,580) and at the front (221,760)
These numbers are a stark reminder of how frequently students are put at risk during bus loading and unloading. With 5,859 buses operating across the state, the potential for tragedy is real—but it is preventable.
The data from the 2025 National Stop Arm Violation Survey is courtesy of Mike LaRocco, Director of the Indiana Department of Education Office of School Transportation.
Let’s make this school year a safe one. When you see a school bus, slow down, pay attention, and stop when required. A child’s life depends on it.
For more information on school bus safety or to report unsafe driving near school buses, please get in touch with your local school district or law enforcement agency.