Each year, roughly 108 people are killed and 13,200 are injured in school bus-related crashes in the United States, according to NHTSA data. These school bus accident statistics reveal an important paradox: school buses are far safer than passenger cars — students are about eight times less likely to die on a school bus than in a family vehicle — yet crashes still cause serious harm when they occur.
That safety record is real. But crashes still happen. And when they do, the consequences can be serious — for children riding the bus, for pedestrians near bus stops, and for families sharing the road with these large vehicles every morning.
Here is what the data actually shows: how often school bus crashes occur, who gets hurt, what causes them, and how the numbers have changed over time.
School Bus Accident Statistics: How Many Crashes Happen Each Year?
School bus crashes are relatively uncommon given the scale of school transportation in the U.S. About 20.3 million students board a yellow school bus every day, yet fatal crashes involving school transportation are a tiny share of all traffic deaths.
From 2013 to 2022, there were 976 fatal school bus-related crashes nationwide, resulting in 1,082 deaths and roughly 132,000 injuries, according to NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). That works out to about 108 fatalities per year.
Looking at the most recent decade, 2015 to 2024:
- 962 fatal school bus-related crashes occurred over ten years
- 1,069 people of all ages were killed — an average of 107 per year
- The 2023 total was 128 deaths
- By 2024, that number fell to 110 — a 14% drop in one year
School bus crashes make up only 0.28% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes between 2013 and 2022. Still, when children are involved, even a small number carries significant weight.
Who Is Actually Getting Killed in School Bus Crashes?
One of the most important — and often surprising — findings in the school bus accident statistics is who bears the highest risk.
Most people killed in school bus-related crashes are not the children on the bus. According to NHTSA, from 2015 to 2024:
- About 71% of fatalities were occupants of other vehicles in the crash
- About 15% were pedestrians
- About 6% were school bus passengers (students or others on the bus)
- About 4% were school bus drivers
Looking at school-age children specifically, NHTSA recorded 198 deaths in school-transportation-related crashes from 2013 to 2022:
| Who They Were | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Occupants of other vehicles | 80 |
| Pedestrians | 76 |
| School bus occupants | 35 |
| Pedalcyclists | 5 |
| Other nonoccupants | 2 |
The pedestrian numbers stand out. Children walking to or from their bus stop — not sitting inside the bus — face real danger. This is partly why every state requires drivers to stop when a school bus displays its stop arm and flashing lights.
Younger Children Face the Highest Risk
New York State DMV data highlights an important pattern: children ages 4 to 8 (grades K–3) are the most vulnerable in school bus-related crashes. This age group makes up less than 35% of the student population but accounts for 69% of child fatalities in bus-related incidents (79 out of 114).
The reason is practical — younger children are smaller and harder to see. Buses have significant blind spots, including directly in front of the vehicle. A first-grader walking across in front of the bus may not be visible to the driver at all.
Most Common Causes of School Bus Accidents
Understanding why school bus crashes happen puts the statistics in context. The leading causes include:
Driver-side factors:
- Distracted driving (phones, dispatch radios, inattention)
- Fatigue on early morning routes
- Speeding or failure to follow traffic rules
- Inadequate training for managing large vehicles
Mechanical factors:
- Worn or failed brakes
- Tire defects or blowouts
- Deferred maintenance
External factors:
- Other motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus — a persistent problem
- Weather and road conditions (ice, fog, rain)
- Poor visibility around the bus's blind spots
Stop-arm violations by other drivers are one of the most concerning contributors to pedestrian deaths near school buses. When a motorist passes a bus with its stop arm out and lights flashing, children may be crossing the road right in their path. Dozens of states have added stop-arm cameras to buses specifically to catch these violations.
School Bus Crash Statistics: Trends Over Time
The long-term picture shows gradual improvement. Annual fatalities in school bus-related crashes have declined over the past decade, thanks to:
- Better vehicle safety technology — improved mirrors, blind spot cameras, seat belts on newer buses
- Stop-arm cameras — automated enforcement for illegal pass-throughs
- Stricter driver training — more demanding CDL requirements and ongoing certifications
- Better data — NHTSA's FARS system now captures more detailed crash information, enabling targeted safety improvements
Still, around 100 people die in these crashes every year. For families directly affected, the statistics are not abstract.
How Do School Buses Compare to Other Vehicles?
The safety advantage of school buses becomes clear when you look at crash rates:
| Vehicle Type | Fatality Rate (per 100M VMT) |
|---|---|
| School buses | ~0.2 |
| Passenger cars | ~1.5 |
Students on a school bus are approximately eight times less likely to die than those in a personal vehicle. Buses are large, highly visible (the yellow color is chosen for contrast and visibility), and built with structural protections for occupants.
That said, many school buses — especially older fleets — lack seat belts. Without them, passengers can be thrown around in sudden stops or rollovers. Newer buses are increasingly required to include belts, but adoption varies widely by state and district.
What's in this video?
Attorneys at The Orlow Firm discuss bus accident cases in New York City, including how these cases work, what victims are entitled to, and what steps to take after a bus crash.
Frequently Asked Questions About School Bus Accident Statistics
How many school bus accidents happen in the U.S. per year?
On average, about 108 people are killed and 13,200 are injured in school bus-related crashes each year, based on a 10-year average of NHTSA data. The annual count of fatal crashes has ranged from roughly 90 to 130 in recent years.
Who is most often killed in a school bus accident?
Most fatalities in school bus-related crashes are not children on the bus. About 71% involve occupants of other vehicles, and 15% are pedestrians. School bus passengers account for roughly 6% of deaths, and bus drivers about 4%.
What age children are most at risk near school buses?
Children ages 4 to 8 (kindergarten through third grade) face the greatest danger. Despite making up less than 35% of student riders, they account for 69% of child fatalities in school bus-related crashes, according to the New York State DMV. Their smaller size makes them harder for drivers to see.
What is the most common cause of school bus accidents?
No single cause dominates. Common factors include driver distraction, fatigue, other motorists illegally passing stopped buses, deferred vehicle maintenance, and large blind spots — particularly in front of the bus.
Are school buses safer than passenger cars?
Yes, by a wide margin. The fatality rate for school bus travel is about 0.2 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, compared to roughly 1.5 for passenger cars. Students are about eight times less likely to die on a school bus than in a family vehicle.
Have school bus fatalities been declining?
The trend is generally downward over the past decade, driven by better technology, stop-arm cameras, and improved training. The annual death toll still exceeds 100, though, and progress has been slow.
Sources & Official Resources
Statistics and Data
- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts — School-Transportation-Related Traffic Crashes, 2014–2023 (PDF)
- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts — School-Transportation-Related Crashes, 2013–2022
- National Safety Council — Injury Facts: School Bus Crashes
Safety Resources 4. NHTSA — School Bus Safety Overview 5. NHTSA — School Bus Crashworthiness Research 6. NY DMV — School Bus Safety
If Someone You Know Was Hurt in a Bus Accident
Statistics explain patterns. Behind every data point is a person — a child crossing the street, a passenger thrown in a crash, a family dealing with injuries that change daily life.
If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident in New York, The Orlow Firm's Queens bus accident lawyers can help you understand your options. The firm has handled vehicle accident cases in Queens and throughout New York City for more than 40 years.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. Se Habla Español.
