The week of October 19-23 is National School Bus Safety Week and, at the request of Thomas R. Bice, State Superintendent of Education, Gov. Robert Bentley has declared this week School Bus Safety Week in Alabama.

Bice said this special emphasis is an active, continuing public education program designed to promote school bus safety.

“Alabama has a school bus safety record of which we can all be proud,” Bice said. “However, maintaining the excellent record requires the combined efforts of the entire education family including, school staff, students, parents and citizens.”

Mike Johnson, Pike County Schools, maintenance and transportation director, said he and Pike County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Mark Bazzell join Bice in encouraging the Pike County community to recognize school bus drivers and other transportation personnel who help ensure that all children are transported safely.

“The Pike County School System has 36 regular bus routes and the safety of the children is always our main focus and concern,” Johnson said. “During School Bus Safety Week, we encourage all motorists to be aware that buses are on the highways in the early morning hours and in the afternoon and also throughout the day. We want to emphasize school bus to our students, bus drivers and all of those who use the highways. School bus safely is the responsibility of all of us.”

Johnson said, as a reminder, it’s the law to stop for school buses.

In proclaiming the Week of October 19-23, School Buss Safety Week, Gov. Bentley said, each school day throughout the United States, more the 25 million students are transported more than 4.3 million miles to and from school.

In Alabama more than 378,000 students are transported to and from school by more than 7,500 buses.

The drivers of these buses travel more than 81 million miles each year and have achieved an enviable safety record.

Johnson said the Pike County Schools ask for the continued efforts of the entire Pike County community in ensuring the safety of all children who travel the county’s roadways on school buses.