INDIANA – More than 200 law enforcement agencies across Indiana are preparing to increase the number of patrols during school bus routes this spring.
The increase is all part of the state’s Stop Arm Violation Enforcement Program (SAVE), which takes place twice a year. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and those funds are administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
“There were over 2000, school bus stop arm violations in a single day,” said ICJI Executive Director Devon McDonald. “If there’s that many violations on a single day, just imagine how many are occurring throughout the course of a month or an entire school year.”
McDonald said it is incredibly dangerous to zip past a stopped school bus.
“If you’re passing on a county road or something like that, not only could you hit a child, but you could hit an oncoming vehicle,” he said.
Last spring, law enforcement issued more than 1,400 citations during the program during the morning and afternoon routes.
“We’re hoping that a police presence, ticketing, or a stern, talking to as far as education goes, will prevent that in the future, even if the police car is not behind the school bus,” McDonald added.
Law enforcement officials warn motorists to slow down, stay alert and never pass a stopped bus with flashing lights and an extended stop arm.
“Please just drive like your kids or loved ones are on that bus,” McClain said.
The program includes two operational periods starting from April 1 through April 30. The fall program is scheduled for August.
