JACKSON – In neighborhoods and backroads across Mississippi, the school bus stop is one of the most vulnerable places a child will stand. Yet every year, thousands of drivers blow past buses with stop arms extended—putting young lives at risk for the sake of getting somewhere faster.
That’s why the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS) is using National School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 20–24, to call out the problem directly—and remind drivers that a child’s life should never come second to someone’s schedule.
“This isn’t a matter of people not knowing the law—it’s a matter of them ignoring it,” said Phil Burchfield, executive director of MASS. “If you’re behind the wheel and you see a stopped bus with lights flashing, stop. It’s not a suggestion. It’s the law, and it’s common sense.”
In a recent survey by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, more than 60,000 drivers nationwide were reported in a single day for illegally passing school buses—several experts believe is vastly undercounted due to lack of reporting.
“Some think it’s not a big deal, but the seconds it takes for a child to cross the street are the exact seconds someone decides to hit the gas,” Burchfield said. “Those are the stories no parent should have to live through—and no driver should have to live with.”
The risk is even greater this time of year, as morning bus stops grow darker leading up to the November 2 time change. Many students in Mississippi wait for the bus along rural roads with no streetlights or sidewalks.
“Visibility drops, but the danger goes up,” said Burchfield. “That’s why this week matters—we’re using it to remind people that a few extra seconds of awareness can prevent a lifetime of regret.”
Under Nathan’s Law, passed in memory of a 5-year-old killed exiting his school bus, Mississippi drivers must stop at least 10 feet away from a bus picking up or dropping off children. Passing a stopped bus is not just dangerous—it carries steep fines, possible felony charges, and license suspension if someone is hurt or killed. The law also allows school districts to install stop-arm cameras on buses to catch violators who fail to stop.
While MASS continues to promote its “30 Seconds Can Save a Lifetime” campaign, Burchfield says the message this year is more personal.
“Kids should be able to wait for the bus without worrying about drivers,” he said. “We’re asking everyone: Would you rather be a few seconds late, or be the reason a child doesn’t come home?”
Safety starts with these simple habits:
For more safety resources for drivers, parents, and school communities, visit www.nhtsa.gov.
The Mississippi Association of School Superintendents and the Alliance of Educational Leaders of Mississippi is a non-profit association whose membership is made up of 139 public school superintendents and more than 2,000 public school administrators. Its mission is to provide resources, advocacy, leadership, policy information, training, support, renewal, and public relations services that improve the quality of public education.