Police Urge Drivers to Stop Illegal School Bus Passing

The Franklin Co. Sheriff's Department & Batesville Police will complete increased patrols this month.

Shutterstock photo.

(Franklin/Ripley Counties, Ind.) – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Batesville Police Department are reminding motorists to stop for school buses or face the consequences.

Increased patrols will take place this month to prevent stop-arm violations, speeding and other forms of reckless driving around school buses and in school zones.

The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

“When a school bus has red light flashing and the stop arm is extended, drivers must come to a complete stop,” said Sergeant Adam Henson. “This is not a suggestion, it is the law.”

State officials say unsafe driving around school buses continue to be a concern despite thousands of motorists being cited under the SAVE program.

The goal of the current safe driving campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of school bus safety and following the law.

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 and up to one year for the second.

If a person disregarding a school bus stop arm causes bodily injury to a person, the offense becomes a Class 6 Felony, where violators face anywhere from six months to two and a half years in jail. If someone is killed, the offense becomes a Class 5 Felony, which carries a sentence between one year and six years.

“Passing a stopped school bus is against the law and could have fatal consequences. Nothing is worth the risk,” said Franklin County Sheriff Peter Cates. “We need every driver to pay attention, because children’s lives are on the line.”