Ryan Scott Ottney

PDT Staff Writer

New Boston school is reminding motorists to be careful around school buses and obey the traffic laws, after a New Boston bus driver brought the concern to New Boston Village Council last month.

“The problem is, they are going around the school buses when they (the buses) have their lights on,” said New Boston Superintendent Mike Staggs. “If a kid crosses another lane of traffic to get to the bus and the traffic doesn’t stop, someone is going to get hurt very bad.”

He said several traffic incidents were reported last school year, mostly on Gallia Street near Ohio 139 and also further up the road near Buch Street at the Portsmouth city limits line. When this occurs, the bus driver takes the vehicle license number and reports it to the school, which is then reported to New Boston Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“On a two-lane road, everybody has to stop (when the school bus stops). If you run it, you’re looking at a large fine and a years’ suspended license,” Staggs said.

So far, Staggs said, no traffic incidents have been reported this year. But still a New Boston School bus driver asked members of Village Council in December to help the school watch for violations. After hearing about the problem, members of New Boston Village Council returned in January with information about school bus cameras the school may be able to install to help capture traffic violations.

“Those cameras go right on the stop signs, so they get a great picture of the license plate; and it’s proof because you can’t take the picture unless the sign is flashing. So it’s automatic,” Staggs said.

Staggs said no such plan has yet been presented to the school board.

“Nobody wants to be responsible for the injuring or death of a young person. It’s something that can ruin your life. Nothing is that important. Be careful and be smart,” Staggs said.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 287, or rottney@portsmouth-dailytimes.com.