BKW observes National School Bus Safety Week

school bus safety poster

BKW joined school district across the country in observing  National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 21-25. This event is held during the third full week of October each year to promote school bus safety across the country. BKW participates in this event, and we thank our transportation department for keeping our children safe on their journey.

The theme of 2019 National School Bus Safety Week is “My School Bus – the Safest Form of Student Transportation!”

Each school day, BKW buses cover a total of 126 square miles transporting students to and from school, athletic events, field trips, and private and parochial schools.

BKW Bus Driver Safety Tip Videos

fall display with pumpkins outside the school
BKW school bus drivers created a decorative autumn display outside the elementary school entrance this year with a bus safety theme.

BKW’s drivers are skilled school bus operators who possess a federally mandated commercial driver’s license that signifies they trained and passed a stringent test to operate a school bus safely and skillfully. They are professionals who are subject to ongoing training, physical performance testing, drug and alcohol testing, annual physicals, and annual testing of driver performance.

Our one-on-one aides are dedicated, trained individuals who care for students riding our buses.

BKW’s school buses are maintained by skilled technicians who keep them safe and up to performance standards. School buses are subject to thorough, twice-annual New York State Department of Transportation safety inspections.

According to the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT), approximately 2.3 million school children board school buses every school day to take the trip to and from school. New York State’s 50,000 school buses provide access to education and are critical to the success of our school children.

BKW also reminds all in the community to keep our children safe by stopping for school buses that are stopped with their red lights flashing, and to be cautious around all school buses. NYAPT surveys have shown more than 50,000 motorists pass stopped school buses every school day in our state. This is unacceptable and endangers the lives of school children who simply are riding the bus to and from school. When you see a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, STOP! A child’s life depends on it.