School Transport Safety Campaign: Extra Checks This Autumn

The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) and the Guardia Civil will once again run a national campaign to monitor the safety of school transport. The next campaign is scheduled for 10–14 November 2025, when officers will intensify checks on buses across Spain.

What the checks cover

During the week, the Guardia Civil Traffic Department, supported by municipal and local police, will carry out inspections of vehicles and drivers. These checks include:

• Ensuring all documentation and authorisations are valid.
• Verifying that vehicles meet required technical and safety standards.
• Checking driver licences, rest times, and compliance with alcohol and drug regulations.
• Monitoring speed, distraction (such as mobile phone use), and overall driving behaviour.

Seatbelt use

Particular attention will be paid to the use of seatbelts. Since 2007, all new buses entering service must be fitted with seatbelts, yet not every vehicle on the road today has them. Where seatbelts are installed, they must be used — studies show they can reduce fatal injuries by up to 90% in the event of a serious collision.

Risks around school buses

Statistics show that 90% of incidents involving school buses happen when children are getting on or off the vehicle. Distraction — either from the child, the parents, or even the driver — is often the main cause. For this reason, parents are urged to:

• Respect official bus stops.
• Allow enough time to drop off and collect children calmly.
• Wait on the same side of the road as the bus, never opposite.

Wider safety and awareness

Although school buses remain one of the safest ways for children to travel, the aim of these campaigns is to keep raising standards. They also encourage parents to check what transport their schools are using and to request vehicles equipped with modern safety features such as seatbelts and on-board monitors.

At the same time, the DGT continues to promote “safe school routes” across Spain — encouraging walking, cycling, and the use of public transport under safer conditions. More than 100 municipalities are already working on designated safe school routes to make daily journeys more sustainable.