FACTS
- Unauthorized Boarding:
- Potential Threats: Individuals boarding without authorization may pose safety risks to students and staff.
- Lack of Screening: School buses typically lack security measures to vet individuals boarding the vehicle.
- Driver Assaults:
- Physical Harm: Drivers may face physical assaults from unauthorized individuals or unruly passengers.
- Psychological Impact: Incidents can lead to stress, anxiety, and a decreased sense of safety among drivers.
- Student Safety:
- Abductions or Harm: Unauthorized individuals may have malicious intent toward students.
- Disruptions: Intrusions can cause panic and disorder, compromising the safety of all passengers.
STATS
- In 2022, school bus-related crashes resulted in 104 fatalities, with a significant portion of these incidents involving children as pedestrians or passengers. While the number of fatalities while inside the bus is low, unauthorized access can pose serious risks.
- In August 2024, the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District in California reported two incidents where groups of migrants attempted to board school buses carrying students.
- Each day, approximately 500,000 school buses transport about 25 million students across the United States, making them a vital part of student transportation. This high volume increases the importance of security measures to prevent unauthorized boarding.
- School buses are considered very safe in Canada, with fatalities accounting for less than 0.1% of all motor vehicle-related fatalities.
- There are approximately 20,000 school buses and school purpose vehicles in Ontario alone, transporting over 833,000 students daily, which illustrates the scale and importance of driver responsibilities in ensuring student safety.