Nashville, Tennessee --- Each day more than 8,250 school buses transport nearly 583,000 students to and from schools across Tennessee. Although school buses are one of the safest forms of transportation in the state, crashes and injuries do occur.

During National School Bus Safety Week, which runs October 17-23, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is sending Troopers back to school. The THP's Pupil Transportation division has partnered with school officials in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby and Washington to place Troopers on buses throughout School Bus Safety Week. Troopers will ensure motorists are obeying the laws and exercising caution when encountering a school bus.

"Bus safety is not a one-week issue, it's a year-round concern of the Tennessee Highway Patrol," said Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) Commissioner Fred Phillips. "While bus travel is one of the safest forms of transportation on Tennessee's roads, crashes and injuries do occur. We're asking for everyone's help in creating safe conditions for the thousands of children who rely on school buses to get them to school and back home safely everyday."

TDOS's latest statistics reveal from 1998-2002 there was an average of nearly 619 crashes per year involving a school bus. For that same time period there were a total of 11 fatalities. Four, or 36 percent, resulted in the death of a bus passenger.

"We frequently receive reports of motorists passing a school bus," said THP Colonel Lynn Pitts. "Not only is it illegal to pass a stopped bus, it creates a potentially deadly hazard for the student. School bus safety is serious business and enforcement of school bus laws is a priority of the Highway Patrol."

Stiff fines accompany the violation of school bus safety laws in Tennessee. Violators can face up to a $1,000 fine for passing a stopped school bus, with the minimum a $250 fine. Motorists need to learn and heed the flashing light system of a school bus. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop. Red flashing lights and the extended stop arm indicate the bus has stopped to load or unload children.

In addition to the enforcement efforts of Troopers and local law enforcement agencies, the department's Pupil Transportation section further ensures the safe transportation of students by inspecting school buses and training bus drivers. During last year's school season, 10,851 buses were inspected and 11,404 bus drivers were trained.

"Qualified and well-trained drivers are the main defense against school bus fatalities, but every driver plays a part in protecting our children," added Commissioner Phillips. "All motorists need to pay attention to bus traffic not just this week, but throughout the school year."

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.