In late October, National School Bus Safety Week began with a strong, unified message as the safety of students on and around yellow school buses must remain a national priority. 

On October 20, 2025, the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) helped launch this year’s observance with a public event featuring NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn, U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-8), and leaders from the school transportation and education community that was hosted by Krapf School Bus, an NSTA member in West Chester, Pennsylvania. A cohesive message resonated as educators and school transportation officials continued to raise awareness about the ongoing threat posed by motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses. 

The event was hosted at the Palisades School District Bus Depot, operated by Krapf School Bus. The setting painted a picture of the event's importance, with dozens of yellow buses lined in rows, a reminder of the scale of the responsibility shouldered by the student transportation industry. Each day, more than 25 million students in the United States depend on school buses as their safest ride to and from school. The speakers emphasized that while school buses remain the safest mode of student travel, safety continues to be compromised as motorists ignore flashing red lights, pass extended stop arms, or drive while distracted.

Congressman Fitzpatrick opened the program by acknowledging the role of technology in shaping motorist behavior. He spoke about how new safety tools and onboard systems have helped modernize student transportation, but cautioned that increased connectivity has come at a cost. Cell phones, navigation apps, and in-vehicle screens can often pull drivers’ attention away from the road, creating hazardous and sometimes fatal risks for students boarding or exiting a school bus.

Following the Congressman’s remarks, Macysyn addressed the crowd with what he referred to as an urgent call to action. Illegal school bus passings, he warned, are not just violations, as they are life-threatening incidents that occur far too often on America’s roads. Macysyn reminded attendees that every child stepping off a yellow bus is a valued member of someone’s family, and that students impacted by these illegal passings “could be your son, could be your daughter, could be your grandchild.” 

Macysyn’s message highlighted both the emotional and practical weight behind the issue, and coverage of his remarks were later aired on WFMZ-TV Channel 69 (Allentown). A video of the story is on the NSTA website under the Press Room’s News Stories.

The escalating need for action on the illegal passing epidemic was supported by recently released findings from the 2025 National School Bus Illegal Passing Survey. The survey was presented earlier in 2025 at NSTA’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Boston by NASDPTS executive director Ronna Weber.

While the most recent survey data reflected a slight decrease in reported illegal passing incidents, compared to 2024, the scope of the problem remains significant. When extrapolated across a full 180-day school year, data suggests there are more than 39.3 million illegal passings annually. These figures drive NSTA’s ongoing advocacy and the continued need for legislative, enforcement, and public engagement strategies.

A continued area of legislative progress was the introduction of the Brake for Kids Act (H.R.2348), an initiative highlighted during the 2025 NSTA Capitol Hill Bus-In by Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-8) and co-sponsored by Rep. Fitzpatrick. On September 16, 2025, a Senate companion bill (S.2812) was introduced by Sen. Todd Young (IN) and Gary Peters (MI). Over the course of the year, NSTA launched a grassroots effort to encourage members to contact their House and Senate members to garner co-sponsorship. If enacted, this measure would direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a nationwide campaign aimed at reducing illegal passings and improving public understanding of school bus laws. 

As the Pennsylvania event concluded, program speakers reminded the assembly that National School Bus Safety Week serves as a yearly focus for school bus safety, but the work to prevent illegal passing and distracted driving continues each day. The highlighted dangers persist throughout the school year, placing a greater responsibility on motorists to remain alert and prepared to stop. While school transportation professionals, contractors, and drivers safeguard students daily, lasting safety relies on motorists being attentive and engaged with the rules of the road. 

The initiatives discussed during the National School Bus Safety Week public event reflect meaningful momentum toward stronger enforcement, public education, and safer roadways for students. NSTA remains committed to leading this work as part of our advocacy program, so please share this information with friends and colleagues. If you want to learn more about the Brake for Kids Act, please feel free to contact me at president@yellowbuses.org.

Remember, with NSTA, you never travel alone.