Drivers in Minnesota are now more likely to see a citation come their way if they decide to violate the state's school bus stop arm laws thanks to an increase in the amount of stop-arm cameras on buses statewide.
"We're seeing a pretty significant uptick in the amount of enforcement going into those violations," said Office of Traffic Safety director Mike Hanson.
While citations are up, Hanson believes there's good news to share based on OTS data showing better compliance with school bus stop arms.
In fact, a one-day stop arm survey earlier this year yielded 476 observed violations out of 2,875 drivers, down from the 527 observed violations during the same survey in 2023, and 1,003 observed violations in 2022.
"I think we are seeing better compliance with school bus stop arm regulations, drivers are noticing them and are stopping, and we're seeing fewer violations reported or observed," added Hanson.
Earlier this year the Minnesota Department of Public Safety awarded nearly $1.5 million to schools and transportation companies for school bus stop arm cameras. The grants were part of a previously announced $14.2 million in state-funded grant awards to equip cameras on buses statewide.
"What the cameras allow us to do is to better document those violations for follow-up by law enforcement. It also provides us a unique opportunity to get our message out there about why it is so critically important to be watching for those buses and those extended stop arms."
According to Hanson, there are nearly 12,000 yellow school buses equipped with stop arms that advise drivers when they need to stop. The grants awarded in recent years have equipped nearly 7,000 of those buses with stop arm cameras.
Data from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety shows 1,864 citations were issued last year in Minnesota, up from 1,012 the year before.
"Drivers are being caught because they're going through the stop arm and law enforcement are following up, that's sometimes what it takes to bring attention to a critical traffic safety issue like stopping for an extended stop arm," Hanson said. "This is our most precious commodity. Our kids shouldn't be afraid of getting on or off the bus. Parents shouldn't be afraid when their kids are going to or coming from that bus stop, or getting on or off that bus."
Tips for Motorists:
- Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and an extended stop arm. Motorists traveling in the opposite direction on a divided road are not required to stop.
- Motorists should slow down, pay attention, and anticipate school children and buses, especially in school zones.
- The best way to be aware of your surroundings at all times is to put the distractions away.
Tips for Students:
- When getting off a bus, look to be sure no care are passing on the shoulder.
- Wait for the bus driver to signal that it's safe to cross.
- When crossing the street to get on the bus or to go home, make eye contact with motorists before proceeding.
Drivers who violate the law face a $500 fine and even more severe criminal charges for passing a school bus on the right, passing when a child is outside the bus, or injuring or killing a child.