Safety Fist Bump
During National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 20-24, please join us as we spotlight the importance of protecting the millions of children who ride school buses every day. Whether you’re commuting to work or transporting kids to school, safe driving starts with awareness and ends with action.
Why It Matters
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school bus-related crashes are rare but often tragic:
- 971 fatal crashes occurred from 2014-2023, resulting in 1,079 deaths
- 209 school-age children died in these crashes; most were pedestrians (79) or occupants of other vehicles (83)
- School buses are statistically the safest way to transport children, yet illegal passing of stopped buses led to 61 fatalities from 2000-2023; nearly half were children under 18
Timely Reminders
Help your team protect themselves and the children in your community by sharing school traffic safety tips.
- Slow down in school zones: Speed limits drop to 20 mph
- Stay alert: Put away the phone and drive distraction-free
- Watch for children: They may cross mid-block or dart into the street
- Stop for school buses: Ohio law requires stopping for flashing red lights in all directions of travel on two-lane roads. On four-lane roads, drivers on the opposite side of the road are not required to stop.
- Yield to pedestrians: Always stop for crossing guards and respect crosswalks
Tip: Share materials from the safe driving toolkit on our website or from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s “Stop Means Stop” school bus safety campaign. and work to prevent distracted driving incidents in and around school zones.
Beyond the Workplace
Consider hosting a community workshop with local schools or parent groups. You can:
- Promote the NSC Just Drive Pledge to reduce distracted driving
- Sponsor crossing guards or donate reflective gear for students
- Share free resources, like the Child Passenger Safety Learning Portal or the School Bus Safety playlist, to educate staff on crash dynamics, child restraint systems and emergency protocols
Apply the Training
Earlier this year, ABC news reported on a school bus incident in Ohio and the quick-thinking actions taken by a Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District bus driver. On his route, driver Dorian Pace heard a loud noise coming from under the bus. Fearing something was amiss, he pulled over and evacuated the 15 children on board before the bus erupted in flames.
Crash Data
In the last five years, there have been more than 6,000 traffic crashes in Ohio involving school buses and nearly 2,000 people were injured, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Lead by Example
What’s modeled at work often gets practiced at home. Let’s make safe driving a shared responsibility — for our teams, our families and our communities.
Be Our Guest
Workplace safety leaders are always looking for new opportunities to gain knowledge and ensure compliance with regulations. Training can help you foster a positive safety culture, identify and prevent incidents and control costs.
So, with that in mind, we invite you to join us Thursday, Nov. 13, for Workplace Impairment Training. During the 3½-hour online session, you will gain insight and answers to these questions:
- What’s the relationship between impairment and workplace safety?
- What factors and situations can cause impairment?
- What are common signs and symptoms of impairment?
- What do I do upon observing impairment in the workplace?
- What are the impacts and costs of employee impairment to a company’s bottom line?
- What resources are available to help me recognize and address impairment in my workplace?
Realistic scenarios and practice activities help participants recognize the many types of impairment, including alcohol and drug impairment, fatigue, impairment caused by over-the-counter medications and mental distress.
You won’t want to miss this chance to keep current on workplace impairment issues. And you can’t beat the cost – it’s free! Register to attend now.
Special Safety Delivery
Oct. 19-25 is National Teen Driver Safety Week, a timely opportunity for safety leaders to address the elevated crash risks facing teen and young adult drivers, both at work and at home.
Young Drivers at Work
In recent years, many teens have delayed seeking a driver license until after age 18, due to factors like rising car costs, ride-sharing apps and the proliferation of online social opportunities. While many do drive as part of their jobs, these young drivers often do not receive formal workplace training and may lack experience, putting them at greater risk.
As of Sept. 30, all new drivers in Ohio through age 20 will be required to take driver education and complete 50 hours of practice driving with an eligible adult. This important safety measure is designed to help ensure these young drivers receive the training they need to be safe drivers. More information on this change is available from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office:
Despite legal restrictions, impaired driving remains a concern. In 2023, more than 1,000 young drivers ages 15 to 20 involved in fatal crashes tested positive for alcohol, according to the National Safety Council. Be sure to communicate your company’s policies on use of alcohol and other drugs.
Common Roles
Teens and young drivers work across a wide range of industries, delivering groceries, rideshare passengers, documents and packages.
They’re healthcare aides traveling between clients, technicians heading to job sites, landscapers, farmworkers and skilled tradespeople on the move. From interns to apprentices to rising leaders, driving is often a key part of how they contribute on the job.
Make the Connection
Aim your safety messages at these two groups:
- Teen drivers on the job: Are they trained, supervised and aware of the risks?
- Employees with young drivers at home: Are they reinforcing safe driving habits?
Encouraging conversations about safe driving at work can lead to safer choices on the road, especially during high-risk periods like nighttime driving and weekend after-hours driving periods, when teen driver fatalities typically spike.
Free Toolkit
To support these efforts, the National Safety Council – through its DriveitHOME program – offers a free National Teen Driver Safety Week toolkit, with resources for parents, caregivers and safety advocates.
NSC Toolkit includes:
- Key messages and posters on safe driving
- Videos to engage parents and caregivers
- Animated graphics on top risk factors
- Social media kit and partner guides
- Materials available in English and Spanish
You can also download the DriveitHome app.
Empower Through Engagement
Driving is a skill that develops over time. Help young drivers grow by:
- Offering opportunities to drive in diverse conditions (inclement weather, rural roads, etc.)
- Giving consistent, constructive feedback
- Reinforcing smart habits like scanning ahead and managing speed
Lead With Safety
Whether at work or at home, adults play a key role in shaping driving behavior. Encourage these actions:
- Set clear expectations around phone use, speeding and peer passengers
- Monitor nighttime driving and weekend outings
- Promote planning ahead and choosing sober drivers
Every trip is a chance to learn. With guidance and support, young drivers can become confident, responsible road users who prioritize safety every mile they drive.