The wheels on the bus go round and round

LENOIR, NC (August 26, 2019) — More than 4,500 students rode the school bus to and from school today on the first official day of the 2019-2020 school year.

The yellow school bus fleet consists of 110 buses and bus routes start as early as 6:00 am in the rural parts of the county, such as Buffalo Cove and the Globe.

As students are boarding and unloading from buses this week, motorists are encouraged to use extra caution when approaching a yellow school bus. Follow the North Carolina School Bus Stop Law:

• Two-lane road: when a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
• Two-lane roadway with a center turning lane: when a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
• Divided highway with a median separation: when a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
• Roadway of four lanes or more with a center turning lane: when a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
• Four-lane roadway without a median separation: when a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the school bus is the safest vehicle on the road. As stated on their website: “Your child is much safer taking a bus to and from school than traveling by car.”