Bellefontaine City Schools Transportation Supervisor Tammie Garman is offering tips during National School Bus Safety Week, which is October 16th-20th.

This year’s theme is BEEP, BEEP – School Bus Safety Starts with Me.

Garman said, “A unique reminder to motorists and students about the dangers that exist outside the school bus. Studies show that children are often injured approaching or leaving the bus.

“As bus drivers are reminding students of their place of safety daily, still some (parents & students) are refusing to follow the law. Students are and will continue to lose their riding privileges if they continue to refuse. We don't wish to become a statistic where we have a student injured or even killed for not following the law we are trying to enforce.

“With the help of parents and the community, we can continue to deliver all children safe and unharmed.

“On-the-bus behavior continues to be a big distraction to our drivers. We implore parents to please talk to their kids about how to act on the school bus and to remember that riding a bus is a privilege.

“In a time where we have so many distractions, we plead you to stay alert during the times students are being picked up and dropped off. By law bus drivers must activate their warning lights 300 feet prior to a bus stop where children are standing, thus giving all ample time to slow for the stop. Try to think that on that bus sits your child or grandchild and your hope is that they are always safe and out of harm's way.

“Together we can all make a difference. Thank you from your BCS bus drivers.”