National School Bus Safety Week is October 19-23

Published on October 19, 2026

This National School Bus Safety Week, Torrance Police Department reminds drivers that when a school bus stop-arm is out and the red lights are flashing, drivers must come to a complete stop until the red lights are off, and children are on or off the bus and safely out of the road.

“With few exceptions, California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on,” Torrance Police Sergeant, Michael Guell said. “Children walking are depending on every driver to follow the law and protect them.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2000-2024, 63 people were killed in crashes involving a driver illegally passing a school bus with flashing red lights. Among those killed, 27 were people 18 years old or younger.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.