Local News

Bus and student safety needed as schools get underway

As students head back to the classroom this week in Shelby County and around Indiana, state and local law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists to stop for school buses or face the consequences.

 

Over the next couple of months, officers with many agencies will be increasing patrols to prevent stop-arm violations, speeding and other forms of reckless driving around school buses and in school zones.

 

Lt. Mike Turner with the Shelbyville Police Department says they are encouraging everyone to be careful and aware of their surroundings.

 

 

Turner says there aren't plans to actually ride the buses but that could happen should problems arise.

 

 

In April, thousands of bus drivers who participated in a one-day observational survey counted 2,041 stop-arm violations in Indiana. That one-day total, when multiplied by the number of school days, adds up to a potential 367,380 violations throughout the school year.

 

The newly released data comes from the National School Bus Illegal Passing Driver Survey, which is managed by the Indiana Department of Education in the state. The survey has been conducted annually since 2011 but was put on hold for the past two years due to the pandemic.

 

This year, collection took place on April 26, with 6,665 bus drivers participating from 195 school districts.

 

Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop when the overhead lights on a school bus are flashing yellow. Once the lights turn red and the stop arm extends, drivers are required to stop on all roads with one exception. On highways divided by a physical barrier, such as a concrete wall or grassy median, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop.

 

Turner notes some rules calling for traffic to stop for a school bus aren't obvious to all drivers.

 

 

Motorists should also be mindful of posted speed limits, avoid distractions and watch for children in or near school and residential areas. Planning ahead and allowing for extra time during each commute will help keep all road users safe.

 

Disregarding a school bus stop arm is a Class A Infraction. Violators could pay a fine of up to $10,000, have their license suspended for up to 90 days for the first offense or up to 1 year for the second.

 

Turner adds that student safety goes beyond just what happens with buses.  Police encourage the phrase, "see something, say something."

 

 

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