As students return to classrooms for the 2026-27 school year, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists, parents and students to prepare for increased traffic around schools and bus routes.

Missouri recorded 871 traffic crashes involving school buses in 2025, according to the patrol. Those crashes resulted in one death and 284 injuries.

Drivers should allow additional travel time and remain especially alert near school zones, playgrounds, bicycle paths and crosswalks. Children may not recognize approaching traffic or could enter the roadway unexpectedly.

Under Missouri law, motorists traveling in both directions on a two-lane road must stop when a school bus is displaying its warning signals while loading or unloading children. On a four-lane highway, only vehicles traveling behind the bus are required to stop.

Students walking to school should use sidewalks and cross streets at intersections or marked crosswalks. They should avoid crossing between parked vehicles and make eye contact with drivers before entering the roadway.

If no sidewalk is available, pedestrians should walk near the left edge of the roadway, facing traffic, and step off the road when vehicles approach.

Students riding bicycles should wear helmets, obey traffic signs and signals and travel as close to the right side of the road as safely possible. The patrol also recommends that bicyclists avoid carrying passengers and keep both hands on the handlebars except when signaling.

Students who ride a school bus should wait on the sidewalk or shoulder, remain at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing and never attempt to retrieve an object that has fallen underneath the bus. While riding, students should remain seated, keep the aisle clear and follow the driver’s instructions.

The patrol said most crashes involving drivers younger than 21 occur between 3 and 4 p.m., when schools typically dismiss students. Young drivers are encouraged to avoid distractions, wear seat belts and put away their phones. Missouri law prohibits drivers from holding or using electronic communication devices while operating a vehicle, with limited exceptions.

Parents are encouraged to discuss safe travel practices with their children, whether they walk, bicycle, ride a bus or drive to school.

The patrol also reminded families about Courage2Report Missouri, a confidential reporting system for concerns involving school safety. Reports may involve threats of violence, weapons, planned attacks, suicide concerns, sexual offenses, human trafficking or other potential dangers. Reports may be submitted anonymously and are reviewed around the clock.

Reports and additional information are available at courage2reportmo.com.