Third-graders at Mary C. Snow's West Side Elementary School prepare Friday to learn about safety when getting on and off the school bus.

State Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple (left) talks to the students about bus safety. Marple says the number of drivers who illegally pass school buses in West Virginia alarms her.

School buses across West Virginia have been outfitted with new security cameras to capture the license plate numbers of drivers who illegally pass a stopped bus. About 450 drivers violate state law daily by passing buses, education officials say.

State Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple boards the bus with third-graders from Mary C. Snow's West Side Elementary School to celebrate next week's National School Bus Safety Week.