Old Fort residents urge action after two school-bus collisions with trucks

OLD FORT, Ohio — Residents of Old Fort pressed the Seneca County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 to address heavy truck traffic they say is endangering school buses and neighborhood safety.

Jay Pence, an Old Fort resident and school board member, described multiple recent incidents in which trucks struck school buses or caused close calls. “We had a school bus get hit by another semi truck Friday morning,” Pence said, adding that one driver was cited after trying to back out of a lane to let a truck pass. He said another mirror was hit six weeks earlier.

Pence criticized truck drivers and some carriers who he said repeatedly use narrow town streets rather than recommended routes. “Why don't you guys take 201? … There's a traffic light for you. It's 3 minutes difference,” Pence said, urging enforcement of designated truck routes and better signage to direct carriers away from residential streets.

Officials acknowledged the problem but said enforcement and rerouting involve multiple agencies and private carriers. County staff said they would review options including additional signs and coordination with townships and the sheriff’s office. The county also thanked local road crews for recent snow- and ice-clearing work that helped keep roads passable.

Pence said the issue has persisted for decades and warned that continued inaction could lead to more serious collisions when buses are carrying children. He asked county leaders to follow up with school officials, law enforcement and major carriers serving the area.

Next steps: County staff said they would investigate potential signage and routing changes and coordinate with town and township officials and the sheriff’s office; no formal vote or directive was issued at the meeting.