State Highway Patrol Announces Operation Stop Arm

RALEIGH, NC (October 14, 2018) — While many schools across the state have been in operation for more than two months, the State Highway Patrol is taking proactive steps to ensure school bus safety is not overlooked.

Beginning Monday, October 15, troopers statewide will participate in Operation Stop Arm, a week-long event held each year.  Objectives of the campaign include an increase in educational programs and enforcement in and around school zones.  Throughout the week, troopers will ride on school buses and use unmarked vehicles to monitor bus routes to and from school. 

“Every child should be afforded a safe means of travel as they attend their respective educational institution”, said Colonel Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol.  “While this operation is scheduled to conclude on Friday, our efforts will continue throughout the school year.”

In partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, a PSA has been produced to raise public awareness on school bus safety.  

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North Carolina School Bus Safety Web

What is the law on passing a stopped school bus?

§ 20-217.  Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses in certain instances; evidence of identity of driver.

(a)        When a school bus is displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights and the bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, the driver of any other vehicle that approaches the school bus from any direction on the same street, highway, or public vehicular area shall bring that other vehicle to a full stop and shall remain stopped. The driver of the other vehicle shall not proceed to move, pass, or attempt to pass the school bus until after the mechanical stop signal has been withdrawn, the flashing red stoplights have been turned off, and the bus has started to move.

(b)        For the purpose of this section, a school bus includes a public school bus transporting children or school personnel, a public school bus transporting senior citizens under G.S. 115C-243, or a privately owned bus transporting children. This section applies only in the event the school bus bears upon the front and rear a plainly visible sign containing the words “school bus.”

Read more at NCGS 20­-217

WHAT IS THE SENTENCE AND PUNISHMENT FOR PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS?

• First Offense:  If this the first time you have been convicted of passing a stopped school bus then the conviction is a Class 1 Misdemeanor that has mandatory minimum fine of $500.00.
• Second Offense within 3 years:  If this is the second time you have been convicted of passing a stopped school bus within a three year period then the law requires the revocation of your drivers license for a period of 1 year in addition to certain mandatory fines.
• Third Offense within 3 years:  If this is the third time within a three year period that you have been convicted of passing a stopped school bus then there is a mandatory permanent revocation of your driver’s license.

HOW DOES PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS AFFECT MY DRIVERS LICENSE POINTS?

• Passing a stopped school bus in a commercial vehicle results in 8 drivers license points
• Passing a stopped school bus in a passenger vehicle results in 5 drivers license points

HOW DOES PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS AFFECT MY INSURANCE POINTS?

• Passing a stopped school bus results in 4 insurance points.
• According to the NC Department of Insurance a conviction of passing a stopped school bus will increase your insurance rates by approximately 80%.