OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Today, Monday, Oct. 16, marks the first day of National School Bus Safety Week. In recognition, many local school districts and sheriff’s offices are sharing safety tips for students, parents, teachers and even annoyed drivers stuck behind buses on their morning commute.

Each year, the national educational campaign is held in the third full week of October by the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) along with Blue Bird, a school bus manufacturer. In 2023, it spans from today to this Friday, Oct. 20.

RELATED: October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. FLHSMV shares safety tips for both walkers and drivers

More than 25 million children ride public school buses each day, according to NAPT. That includes nearly half of all Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) students. Every day, about 14,000 students rely on ACPS’s approximately 250 buses to get to and from school.

According to a post from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), an average of 113 people of all ages are killed in school bus-related crashes every year. Earlier this month, a student at Lake Minneola High School in Lake County died in a bike-bus crash. Sherman Vannoy was on his bicycle crossing at an intersection near the school when the accident occurred.

READ MORE: Lake Minneola High fundraiser for family of student killed in bike-bus crash exceeds goal

This week, ACSO and other local law enforcement agencies are participating in Operation Blue Bird, where deputies will patrol bus stops to enforce traffic laws.

Unsure when you should stop for a bus? Here’s a refresher:

  • On a two-lane road, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.
  • On a multi-lane road, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.
  • On a divided highway with an unpaved or raised median, vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction should proceed with caution.
  • Yellow lights on a bus indicate it is preparing to stop. Motorists should, too: slow down, stay alert and watch out for kids crossing the street.
  • When the bus comes to a complete stop, motorists must, too. Failure to stop for a school bus may result in a minimum fine of $265.

ACPS also shared the following safety tips for kids:

  • Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.
  • Stand at least five steps away from the curb.
  • Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver says it’s okay to board before getting on the bus.
  • Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

October is also National Pedestrian Safety Month. Children walking to the bus stop should follow pedestrian safety advice. NAPT encourages kids to try to stay on sidewalks or out of the street, look both ways before crossing the street and walk in a group when possible.