SCDE and SCDPS Highlight School Bus Safety: Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina's education and public safety leaders are joining forces to deliver a critical message to drivers: safe rides for our everyday heroes. One careless decision can change lives forever - and there are no second chances.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) held a joint news conference Monday morning to mark National School Bus Safety Week spotlighting the state's ongoing efforts to modernize its bus fleet, strengthen enforcement, and promote safe driving behavior around school buses.

By the Numbers:

• 5,700 state-owned school buses
• 335,000 students transported each school day
• Roughly 200,000 stops made daily
• More than 77 million miles traveled during the 2025-26 school year

Historic Investments in Safety:

Over the last decade, South Carolina has taken a comprehensive approach to modernizing its school bus fleet.

Thanks to investments from the state legislature, the SCDE has cut the average age of school buses by half, installed GPS hardware and software in all buses, and added more than 4,850 new buses to South Carolina's state fleet.

Additional safety improvements include:

• 3-position door switch, which activates the red warning lights without opening the door
• Rear motorist alert devices installed on more than 400 new buses
• Stop-arm cameras on 450 school buses to document violations
• Unique identification numbers on the top of new school buses to aid law enforcement during emergencies

Slow Down and Eliminate Distractions:

Passing a stopped school doesn't just break the law - it puts children's lives at risk. Violating South Carolina's school bus law can result in fines, points on your driver's license, and even jail time.

According to law enforcement, new cameras on school buses are helping to identify violators, leading to more fines issued for illegal passing.

SCDPS encourages parents and teachers to talk with students about the importance of safety before and after school - especially at the bus stop.

What They're Saying:

"The yellow school bus remains one of the safest ways for children to travel, and every day South Carolina's bus drivers play a vital role in making that possible. They safely transport thousands of students, often serving as the first and last school employee a child sees each day. We are grateful for their commitment and the care they show our students. Safety is not a slogan. It is a responsibility shared by all of us. That is why we are asking every driver in South Carolina to slow down, stay alert, put away distractions, and remember that a child's life can depend on a single decision. Together, we can ensure every student's journey to and from school is a safe one." - State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver.

"Today, as we mark National School Bus Safety Week with our partners at the South Carolina Department of Education, we acknowledge that protecting students on the bus is a year-round responsibility for everyone in our community. Every time a driver passes a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing, they are breaking the law and putting a child at risk. I urge drivers to slow down, put away the phone, and when you see a school bus on the road, stay alert and be ready to stop. It is that simple." - SC Highway Patrol Commander Colonel Christopher Williamson.

"Every child on my bus matters. The students I serve may need a little more support, but they deserve the same thing every parent wants for their child: a safe ride and the chance to arrive at school ready to learn. When you see a school bus, remember we're transporting someone's child, someone's precious cargo. Please slow down, stay alert, and help us keep every student safe." - Ruth Belton, Veteran School Bus Driver.

For more information on the SCDPS school bus safety campaign, including videos and educational materials, visit the SCDPS School Bus Safety page.