08/20/2026
Ohio Traffic Safety Office's Stop Means Stop campaign reinforces one of Ohio’s most critical traffic safety laws; drivers must stop for school buses when they are picking up or dropping off students. This public awareness initiative was launched in 2024, following a recommendation from Governor Mike DeWine’s School Bus Safety Working Group. Under this initiative, OTSO provides schools, law enforcement agencies, and community partners with posters, fact sheets, rack cards, social media materials, and an educational video to help strengthen safety messaging statewide.
Data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol shows the need for continued awareness:
- In 2025, the Highway Patrol issued 879 citations to drivers for illegally passing a stopped school bus – a 6% decline from 2024.
- There have been 6,414 traffic crashes involving school buses on Ohio’s roadways since 2021, six of which were fatal. Those six fatal crashes resulted in the deaths of six individuals, with one being a school-aged student.
- In 2025, there were 17 fatal and serious-injury crashes involving a school bus – up from 14 the year before.
- 85% of fatal and serious-injury crashes involving school buses are caused by other drivers.
As buses return to neighborhoods, OTSO reminds all drivers to:
- Slow down in school zones.
- Never drive distracted and watch for children approaching or leaving bus stops.
- Stop Means Stop when a school bus activates its red lights and stop arm. This applies to all vehicles traveling in both directions on two-lane roads and roads with a center turning lane.
- Educational resources and the full Stop Means Stop campaign toolkit for communities are available on OTSO’s website here:
https://otso.ohio.gov/resources/school-bus-safety