FACTS
- Increased Stopping Distance: Higher speeds require longer distances to come to a complete stop, elevating the risk of collisions.
- Loss of Vehicle Control: Excessive speed can lead to difficulties in maneuvering the bus, especially around curves or during adverse weather conditions.
- Severity of Crashes: Accidents occurring at higher speeds tend to result in more severe injuries and greater property damage.
- Passenger Safety: Speeding increases the likelihood of passenger injuries due to sudden stops or collisions.
- Legal Consequences: Drivers caught speeding may face fines, license suspensions, or other legal repercussions, impacting their employment and the school’s reputation.
- Community Trust: Incidents involving speeding buses can erode public confidence in school transportation safety.
STATS
- Between 2013 and 2022, there were 976 fatal school bus accidents in the U.S., resulting in 1,082 deaths and approximately 132,000 injuries.
- In 2021, speeding-related fatalities increased by 8% from the previous year, with 12,330 people killed in speeding-related crashes.
- School buses are the safest means of transporting students to and from school, with students being about 80 times more likely to get to school safely on a school bus than by car.
- Nearly a quarter of drivers report witnessing a near miss or collision in a school zone, more than half of which involved a child.
- A 2019 survey revealed that 70% of Canadians witnessed speeding in school zones, indicating a significant concern for student safety.