FRANKLIN/RIPLEY COUNTIES, IN — The Franklin/Ripley County Traffic Safety Partnership, which is made up of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Batesville Police Department, will be out in full force this spring to ensure that students remain safe when traveling to and from school.
Over the next couple of weeks, officers will be positioned along bus routes and in school zones where they will be on high alert for stop-arm violations, speeding, and other forms of reckless driving.
The overtime patrols are part of the state’s Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) program and are funded with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
“Every time you see a bus, slow down, be ready to stop, and watch for children,” said Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. and Traffic Safety Coordinator Adam Henson. “If the overhead lights flash red and the stop arm extends, you are required by law to stop. Under no circumstances, should you speed up in an attempt to beat the bus. That’s beyond reckless and puts every child boarding or exiting the bus in danger.”
Over the next couple of weeks, officers will be positioned along bus routes and in school zones where they will be on high alert for stop-arm violations, speeding, and other forms of reckless driving.
As part of the campaign, the Partnership is urging motorists to slow down, pay attention to the road and never pass a bus that has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
This applies to all roads with one exception.
On highways divided by a physical barrier, such as a concrete wall or grassy median, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop.
It’s also important when approaching a school bus to be prepared to stop. Plan ahead and factor in extra time during each commute for school bus stops.
Disregarding a school bus stop arm could result in a Class A Misdemeanor Reckless Driving charge.
Violators could be fined up to $10,000, have their license suspended for up to 90 days for the first offense or up to one year for the second violation.
Click here for school bus safety tips.
(Franklin/Ripley County Traffic Safety Partnership press release)
