THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY RAFFERTY, STACK, FONTANA, ORIE, ERICKSON, M. WHITE, KASUNIC, BAKER, DINNIMAN, HUGHES, BREWSTER, COSTA, WAUGH, GREENLEAF, ALLOWAY, SCHWANK, BROWNE, SOLOBAY, FARNESE, MENSCH, D. WHITE, FERLO, WASHINGTON, PILEGGI, BOSCOLA AND TARTAGLIONE, OCTOBER 18, 2011

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 18, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing "School Bus Safety Week," which is being celebrated

the week of October 16 through 22, 2011, in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Approximately 31,511 yellow school buses carry more

than 1.5 million children to and from school every weekday; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth's 31,511 school buses comprise the

largest mass transportation fleet in this nation, 2.5 times the

size of all other forms of mass transportation, including

transit, intercity buses, commercial airlines and all rail,

combined; and

WHEREAS, During the school year, school buses make more than

3 million passenger trips daily carrying this Commonwealth's

future, our children; and

WHEREAS, School bus transportation is 13 times safer than

traveling in a passenger vehicle and is the safest form of

ground transportation available; and

WHEREAS, School buses meet higher construction, equipment and

inspection standards than any other vehicle, and school bus

drivers meet higher qualification, training and testing

standards than any other drivers; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Academy of Sciences, less

than 2% of fatal school hour accidents occur on school buses;

and

WHEREAS, Despite the best efforts of the school safety

officials and the pupil transportation industry, accidents still

happen; and

WHEREAS, Most of the accidents involved children in the area

immediately surrounding the bus, either by a passing vehicle or

by the bus itself; and

WHEREAS, "School Bus Safety Week," which is celebrated in

more than 40 states and sponsored by the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration, was created to remind all

students of the best way to get on and off the bus in an effort

to enhance the safety of this nation's children; and

WHEREAS, "School Bus Safety Week," which dates back to 1966,

also recognizes the hard work and dedication of school

transportation personnel, especially the many school bus drivers

who ensure a safe journey each and every day; and

WHEREAS, "School Bus Safety Week" promotes awareness through

State and local poster and speech contests, lessons utilizing

school bus safety, community awareness kits and other activities

built around themes that raise awareness of school bus safety

issues; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize "School Bus Safety Week,"

which is being celebrated the week of October 16 through 22,

2011, in Pennsylvania and support the safe transportation of all

students in this Commonwealth.