Bus company searches for solution to stop-arm violations

Students are about 50 times more likely to arrive at school alive if they take the bus, according to the American School Bus Council. Teton Stage Lines general manager Donavan Harrington said those numbers will only hold true if drivers pay attention to the safety warnings on a bus.

Bus companies try to design the routes so children exit curbside and avoid high-traffic areas. The bus drivers do all they can to ensure each child’s safety, but they can’t control other drivers.

When the final bell rings, a child’s life falls into the hands of their bus driver.

Bus drivers follow strict regulations to ensure other drivers are aware of children entering and exiting a bus, like turning on the flashing lights and using their stop arms.

“I’m checking mirrors, watching my other students on the bus,” said Peggy Beemer, school bus supervisor. “Watching the other vehicles, you make eye contact with your vehicles.”

These safety measures are being ignored.

“They get so distracted with text messaging and other things going on in the car and they forget what their primary purpose is, which is to drive safe,” said Harrington.

Close calls moved bus companies to install stop-arm cameras. If a violation occurs, bus drivers hit a panic button that marks the hard drive. Then it’s given to Beemer to review and turn into law enforcement.

“Law enforcement is very responsive to our needs and the situations,” said Harrington. “Child safety is paramount in their eyes.”

“They really need to pay attention, it’s our kids that are out there,” said Beemer.

Lights have been installed under the bumpers of some buses to help light up the path where students cross.
They’re hoping all these improvements will help other drivers pay better attention to student safety.
If a bus has its stop arm out, both lanes of traffic must stop. The only exception is if there is a median.