Several police agencies in the state are increasing patrols to watch for school bus stop arm violations.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration issued a Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) grant administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute that dedicates dollars to officers who patrol areas and find drivers who violate school bus stop arm laws. Officers in participating jurisdictions will participate in a specialized enforcement effort now through Sept. 14.
The goal is to protect the lives of children getting on and off a school bus.
State law requires motorists to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children. Watch for buses with the stop arm extended and red lights flashing. When this occurs, drivers are required to stop.
When approaching a school bus from any direction if it is stopped and has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, stop. Drivers are to stop even on multiple lane highways where there is no barrier or median separating lanes of traffic.
Motorists who are on a highway that is divided by a barrier, such as cable barrier, concrete wall, or grassy median, are required to stop only if they are traveling in the same direction as the school bus.
Drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended and red lights flashing can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor with a sentence of up to one year in jail. If that action causes an injury, it then becomes a Level 6 felony with a possible sentence up of to two-and-a-half years in prison.
Recklessly passing a stopped bus resulting in death is a Level 5 felony that carries a sentence up to six years in prison.
Driving privileges may be suspended for up to 90 days or longer depending on repeat offenses.
