Each school day, more than 2,000 drivers violate North Carolina’s school bus stop arm law. Two children were killed at bus stops during the past two years while trying to board their bus.
In support of “Watch out for the Child” week, the State Highway Patrol will be aggressively enforcing stop arm violations and other traffic violations in and around school zones.
“We must protect our children from traffic dangers,” said Col. W. Fletcher Clay, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. “This is the first time the Highway Patrol has conducted a school bus campaign simultaneously in all North Carolina counties cracking down on stop arm violations. Motorists who fail to stop for a stopped school bus will be charged with the violation.”
Passing a stopped school bus is a Class 2 misdemeanor. If convicted, a person will receive five driving points on their driver’s license and is subject to fines up to $200.
“Every day in North Carolina, more than three-quarters of a million children ride the school bus to and from school,” said Dr. Ben Matthews, director of school support for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. “Throughout all those trips, the number one concern of drivers, technicians and supervisors is student safety. However, we need all motorists, not just school bus drivers, to obey school bus safety rules so that children will arrive safely at their destination.”
