“It is critical that we all take precautions around school buses,” said Spearman.  “Bus drivers are transporting precious cargo – children whose parents have entrusted them to all of us in the school community to care for.  That is why it’s vital for people to stop texting, pay attention, drive within the speed limit, and obey all posted signs.  The annual school bus safety poster competition will give students the opportunity to remind drivers of the importance of being safe around school buses,” concluded Spearman.

 

Placing emphasis on reminding motorists to watch out for school buses stopped to load and unload students, this year’s theme is “# STOP ON RED!”  The competition is divided into five divisions based on grade level and is open to students in grades K-12.  An overall state winner will be selected from first place winners in each of the first four divisions (the computer-aided drawing winner is not eligible for overall competition winner honors).

 

This year’s competition is sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Education.  The overall winning poster will be used in the ongoing campaign promoting school bus safety in the state.  Entries must be received by the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Transportation by 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2016, with winners announced in early August 2016.

 

First place entries from each division will also be submitted for judging in the national school bus safety poster competition.  The winning poster from the national competition will be used to promote school bus safety during National School Bus Safety Week in October 2017.

 

Full details and contest rules are available on our website here.  School officials with questions can call the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Transportation at (803) 734-8246.  Media questions can be directed to Dino Teppara, Public Information Director at dteppara@ed.sc.gov.