‘Unsafe for everyone’: NC Officials warn against illegally passing school buses

Photo byNational Conference of State Legislatures

As students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and other districts head back to school, drivers need to be extra cautious around school buses to ensure student safety. Unfortunately, some drivers create dangerous situations by illegally passing stopped school buses, a growing concern in North Carolina.

Since 1999, North Carolina has tracked these illegal passes. Tim Aycock of the Matthews Police Department emphasizes the importance of patience and awareness, noting that being in a hurry can lead to poor decisions and tragic consequences.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has a stop-arm violation count. The numbers are alarming: in one day last school year, nearly 2,700 drivers were reported passing buses with their stop arms out. The year before, the count was close to 2,300.

To keep students safe, here are the key rules:

• On a two-lane road, a two-lane road with a center turning lane, or a four-lane road, all traffic must stop for a stopped school bus.
• On a four-lane roadway with a median or a road with four or more lanes and a center turning lane, only traffic following the bus must stop.

Drivers who violate these laws in North Carolina face a minimum $500 fine, while South Carolina imposes penalties of nearly $1,100.

To raise awareness, the NC State Highway Patrol will conduct its annual "Operation Stop Arm" school bus safety campaign in October.