National School Bus Safety Week on October 19-23, 2015

Eagle Pass Independent School District celebrates National School Bus Safety Week on October 19-23, 2015.  Schools and safety advocates throughout the Maverick County are using the week as an opportunity to highlight the importance of school bus safety.   This week, The Texas Department Public Safety will be working side by side with our School District bus drivers to ensure public vigilance within our school zones.   Motorists should be reminded of their important role in stopping and exercising care and patience when a school bus flashes its red lights and extends its stop arm.This year’s theme, “Be smart. Be seen. I wait in a safe place!” reminds us that children aren’t just at risk when boarding or exiting a bus; they must also stand in a safe, visible space when waiting for the bus to arrive.

On Monday, October 19, 2015, troopers within Eagle Pass and across the state of Texas could be found riding on EPISD school buses looking for motorists passing stopped school buses and other crash-causing violations. This week troopers will be highly visible, enforcing the law in and around school zones and following school buses on their daily routes.

“Today, we had a total of 12 troopers ride along with 5 different EPISD busses,” said Sergeant Juan Maldonado of The Texas Department of Public Safety. “The community should be aware that although this is a weekly event, we certainly do plan on continuing our relationship with EPISD Transportation and will do this again in the spring.”
 

Motorists approaching a stopped school bus from either direction should remember they are required to stop a least 10 feet back from buses displaying red flashing lights and an extended stop arm. For years, school buses have provided safe access to learning for Eagle Pass school children through secure and dependable transportation to schools. School Bus Safety Week reminds students, parents and motorists of their important role in school bus safety.  More than 5000 students ride the school bus in Eagle Pass, Texas each day, with more than 26 million school children transported in 480,000 school buses nationwide.