WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – More motorists are ignoring the school bus stop arms in Forsyth County.
According to the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Schools annual report, 139 drivers failed to obey the stop-arm school bus law just last Wednesday.
"The numbers for Winston-Salem / Forsyth were pretty increased from what we have seen in the past years. Something on the order of 50% than last year," said Derek Graham, Section Chief with the state's transportation service.
The state requires each school district to report how many drivers illegally pass school buses. Graham said his agency has tracked stop-arm violations for the last 71 years.
"What it says we continue to have a high number of incidents where motorist have a complete disregard."
In the report, there were 66 vehicles that passed in the morning hours. During the mid-day trip, there were two violators. And Winston-Salem / Forsyth school bus driver counted 71 afternoon drivers, totaling to 139 number of violations.
"You are supposed to stop for a school bus. Please keep everyone safe."
Last December, a new law took effect that increases the minimum fine for drivers who pass a stopped school bus to $500. In some cases, drivers can also lose their license.
Drivers who kill a student getting on or off the bus also now face a minimum $2,500. The new law is named after Forsyth County student Hasani Wesley. A driver illegally passing a school bus killed him last year.
To learn more about the law surrounding school buses, check out our previous story.
