State Highway Patrol Conducts 2019 “Operation Stop Arm”

RALEIGH, NC (October 21, 2019) — In support of Operation Stop Arm week the State Highway Patrol will be aggressively enforcing stop arm violations and other traffic violations in and around school zones. The operation will run daily from 6:00 am on Monday, October 21 through 5:00 pm on Friday, October 25. The Patrol expects Operation Stop Arm will decrease violations and reduce school bus incidents involving children.    

The week long campaign was kicked off with a press event this morning at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.  Members of the State Highway Patrol were joined by representatives from the NC Department of Public Instruction and the Wake County Public Schools.  Remarks were provided by Colonel Glenn McNeill, Jr. 

“The safety of our children is a constant priority for members of the State Highway Patrol, not just a topic to discuss at the beginning of each school year,” said Colonel Glenn McNeill, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.  “We gather today to make sure their safety is of paramount each and every day and to remind all road users that passing a stopped school bus will not be tolerated.” 

Passing a stopped school bus is a Class 1 misdemeanor. If convicted, a person will receive five driving points on their driver’s license and is subject to fines up to $500.  Passing a stopped school bus is a Class I felony if the driver strikes an individual and a Class H felony should the violation result in a death.

For further information concerning school bus safety and illegal passing please visit the Department of Public Instruction’s school bus safety web site at http://www.ncbussafety.org/.