Even for Ohioans who don’t have school-age children, the start of the school year can bring significant changes to their driving habits – many of which can add time to their daily commutes and errands. 

School zone speed limits need to be obeyed. Drivers need to be prepared to stop suddenly for children who may run out from behind cars and other vehicles. Streets can get clogged with cars picking up and dropping off kids in the mornings and afternoons.

Back-to-school season also means that drivers need to watch out for school buses – and the children they’re carrying. Areas where students gather to wait for the bus can be especially dangerous if drivers aren’t extremely cautious. 

Ohio lawmakers weigh greater penalties for violating the law

Ohio lawmakers are currently working on legislation that would increase the penalties for drivers who don’t obey the law around school buses. That includes increasing maximum fines and length of driver’s license suspension. 

It’s a good idea for everyone to know the law for their own and everyone else’s safety. For example, if the bus stops on a road with fewer than four lanes, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop ten feet or more from it and not move until the bus does or they’re directed by the driver to move. On a four-lane or larger road, only vehicles traveling in the same direction must stop for a stopped bus.

The law pertains not just to buses carrying kids to and from school. It includes buses transporting children and adults “attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities” as well as children attending Head Start programs.

The danger isn’t necessarily gone when a bus resumes its route

It’s critical to remember that even after a bus has retracted its stop sign and moves on, there could still be kids lingering on the sidewalk who may run out into the street. Drivers need to look around and make sure there’s no one who could be heading out into the street before they proceed.

Back-to-school season often results in more impatient drivers maneuvering through traffic jams around schools, speeding to make up time they’ve lost behind a bus or otherwise behaving negligently or recklessly. If you’ve suffered injuries or lost a loved one because of one of these drivers, it’s important to get the compensation you deserve for medical costs and other expenses and damages.

How to stay safe at Ohio school bus stops

Ohio’s stop‑for‑the‑bus rules—and the tougher penalties lawmakers are considering—set the standard. But safety at the curb comes down to split‑second choices by students, parents, and drivers. The guidance below translates the law into clear, real‑life steps kids can follow the moment the bus arrives, especially on busy or multi‑lane roads.For students getting on and off the bus:

  • Wait for a full stop, doors open, and the driver’s signal.
  • Use the handrail; keep straps and drawstrings clear.
  • For students crossing the street:
  • Cross in front of the bus—never behind.
  • Take about 10 big steps ahead, make eye contact with the driver.
  • Cross only on the driver’s signal; scan left‑right‑left as you go.
  • On busy or multi‑lane roads:
  • Don’t cross high‑speed or multi‑lane roads unless there’s a protected crosswalk and the driver directs you.
  • If no safe crossing exists, wait on the same side of the street as your stop.
  • Parents and caregivers:
  • Choose (or request) a stop that avoids crossing busy roads; contact the district if the assigned stop seems unsafe.
  • Walk younger children to and from the stop and model safe habits.
  • Keep kids at least 10 feet back from the curb; never reach under the bus—tell the driver.
  • If a driver doesn’t stop and there’s a near‑miss or injury
  • Note the vehicle’s make, model, color, plate, location, date, and time; report to law enforcement and the school district.
  • Seek medical care after any contact with a vehicle; some injuries surface later.
  • Consider speaking with a personal injury attorney to preserve evidence (including bus video) and pursue compensation.