Missouri sees more than 800 school bus crashes in 2024, MSHP urges driver safety
By: Euphenie Andre
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 843 school bus crashes statewide, resulting in seven deaths in 2024.
According to the MSHP’s latest report:
- 145 crashes statewide
- 118 with property damage
- 26 with injuries
- 1 fatal
Large School Buses:
- 679 crashes statewide
- 560+ with property damage
- 113 with injuries
- 2 fatalities
Troop F Breakdown:
- 37 large school bus crashes: mostly property damage, 7 with injuries, no fatalities
- School zone crashes: 5 total, 4 with property damage, 1 with injury
- Drivers ignoring school bus stop signals: 2 cases with property damage
- Statewide stop-signal violations: 68 reported, including 18 injuries and 2 deaths.
Former Hickman Assistant Principal Jerome Sally said drivers should respect school buses and their passengers.
“Give a bus a lot of room, number one. If you see a bus slowing down, don’t try to pass it. When they put the sign out or the lights are flashing, respect the lights and realize that there’s a young person getting on and off that bus who is more valuable than what you have to do,” Sally said.
Troopers remind drivers to stay alert in school zones, near playgrounds, and at crosswalks. Vehicles traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus is loading or unloading children with its lights flashing.
The MSHP also noted that most accidents occur between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., around the time school lets out. Parents and students with safety concerns can report them confidentially through the Courage2ReportMO program, a safe way for students to voice issues in real time.
