Peabody Launches School Bus Safety Task Force

PEABODY, MA — Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt has launched the city's School Safety Task Force in response to a series of incidents this past fall when students were injured when struck by drivers in violation of state school bus safety laws.

The Task Force will focus on bus safety law education, oversee the BusPatrol camera pilot program that the School Committee authorized last month, and work with bus contractors to identify danger spots in the city and how to improve them.

"Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our children," Bettencourt said. "I ask all drivers to follow proper procedures, including stopping when school buses are picking up or letting out students, respecting school zone speed limits, and yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks."

The BusPatrol data-collection pilot program that will put cameras on the arms of some school bus stop signs to gauge compliance with the state law requiring oncoming drivers to stop for students when they are extended is coming to Peabody after the School Committee voted to back Bettencourt's plans for the program.

Spurred by three incidents this fall where students were hit when drivers passed school buses stopped to discharge or pick up children in the city, stakeholders held a series of meetings in recent months that led to the agreement with the company BusPatrol to administer the pilot program starting next year.

Task Force Co-Chairperson Maria Scheri, who has spearheaded efforts to create action on school bus safety in the city and across the state, will coordinate the work of the Task Force.

"While walking with my child to school, I have witnessed countless drivers passing school buses, and a number of near-misses of students crossing the street, even while in crosswalks and with crossing guards present," Scheri said. "We need everyone to join in making our streets and sidewalks safe, not just for our students, but for all pedestrians."

The Task Force is comprised of parents and other community members, Peabody Public Schools administrators and transportation coordinators, Peabody Police Department traffic safety officers, and representatives from Peabody's School Committee, City Council, Health Department, Peabody TV, and Safe Routes to School (a program of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation).

One stated goal of the BusPatrol yearlong pilot program is to collect data that could be brought to the state in an effort to push forward a law mandating cameras on school buses that identify those who do not stop for them when they are stopped and boarding or discharging students.

"Our community knows how to work together to solve complex problems," says Bettencourt said.

Those interested in helping out with the Task Force are encouraged to reach out to Scheri at stopschoolbuspassing@gmail.com.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)