Drivers are being cited by the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for disobeying the school bus stop arm law.
Updates from school administrators given during the Marshall County Safety Committee meeting Tuesday morning in Plymouth revealed several reports of drivers violating the law. Marshall County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matt Sarber said his office has received those reports of school bus stop arm violations.
“We’ve had many calls to 911 and many officers dispatched,” said Sarber. “Not all violations were, what I would say, founded and not enough to file them. We’ve received many reports, filed them, taking them to court, and we make sure they understand that this is a serious issue. I think it’s been a success.”
Many of the school buses have security cameras that are capable of recording actions of traffic when the stop arm is activated. Sarber said the prosecutors evaluate the situation and file charges if the complaint warrants charges.
There are some cases where a driver may not be cited. Sarber brought up one scenario where a bus is stopped near an intersection with a four-way stop.
“The bus stops there for a normal stop. Someone approaches the intersection at one of the other three roads and then either turns or continues straight – away from the bus, not on that same road. Is that a stop arm violation? Our position is that it is not. If they would turn onto that road it certainly would be and they would need to stop before that 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.
