School Bus Crashes, Traffic Violations: Lorain County Leads State

LORAIN, OH — Lorain County leads the state in driving violations involving school buses. The county is also one of the state leaders in school bus-involved crashes, according to data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Lorain County accounts for more than 175 school bus driving violations and crashes, easily outpacing all other counties in Ohio. Only one other county broke 100 combined violations and crashes, Butler County.

Statewide, in 2019, there have been nearly 800 school bus crashes in Ohio. The Highway Patrol has issued more than 2,100 citations to drivers who committed violations near school buses or school zones.

“Although drivers are required to stop for school buses loading or unloading passengers, children should not rely on motorists to do so,” said Richard S. Fambro, Highway Patrol superintendent. “Children exiting the bus should always stop and look both ways before crossing the street, remaining alert for any sudden traffic.”

The week of October 25 is school bus safety week and Highway Patrol units will be posted near school zones and school bus routes throughout the week.

In late September, a driver was cited for blowing past a stopped school bus in Avon Lake. The driver claimed the school bus didn't turn on its lights until she was already passing the bus, but police didn't buy it. They issued her a citation for failure to stop.

As a reminder, when a school bus displays yellow warning lights, it signifies the bus is soon to stop. Once a bus comes to a stop, flashing lights and a stop sign are displayed. Drivers approaching the bus from either direction are required to stop at least 10 feet from the bus.

If a road is split into four or more lanes, only traffic driving the same direction as the bus must stop. Drivers cannot move their cars until the bus begins moving, the Highway Patrol said.