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NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2025

The San Rafael Police Department honors National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day by standing in solidarity and remembrance with the families, loved ones, colleagues, law enforcement professionals, and friends of the police officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties to keep our communities safe. 

San Rafael Police Department

San Rafael Police Department

For Immediate Release

Author: Sergeant Justin Graham
Date: October 18, 2022 8:30 AM

SRPD Reminds Drivers to Always Stop for School Buses During National School Bus Safety Week

San Rafael, CA. – This National School Bus Safety Week (October 17-21), the San Rafael Police Department supports efforts throughout the state to keep children and caregivers safe by reminding drivers on the dangers of passing a stopped school bus. Drivers are required to come to a complete stop when a school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing.

Held annually during the third week of October, National School Bus Safety Week is a way for parents, children, teachers, bus drivers, school administrators and law enforcement to promote traveling to and from school by bus as a safe transportation option. This year’s campaign focuses on preventing illegal school bus passing.

While riding the bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school, an alarming number of drivers illegally pass school buses who have their red lights activated. From 2011 to 2020 a total of 218 school-age children (18 and younger) died in school-bus-related crashes during that period, either riding on school buses, other cars, or on foot or bike, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

With few exceptions, California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on. Drivers must stop until the red lights are off, and children are on or off the bus and safely out of the road.

“It is so important that we remind drivers in our community that when red lights are flashing, there is no passing,” Sergeant Justin Graham said. “Children and their caretakers are relying on drivers to follow the law and keep them safe.”








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Posted: October 18, 2022 8:38 PDT by Sergeant Justin Graham


Updated: October 18, 2022 8:53 PDT by Justin Graham

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