Drivers Passing Stopped School Buses in Maryland Jumps Roughly 50 Percent (ICYMI)

More drivers are ignoring state laws on what to do when approaching a stopped school bus in surprising numbers, according to a new survey released last week by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Buses use a "stop" arm and flashing lights to alarm motorists around them that they are dropping off or picking up students at a bus stop. But the state report indicates the number of drivers passing these stopped buses has increased by roughly 50 percent in the last year.

A total of 4,326 violations of school bus stop arms were recorded on a single day last spring, state officials said in a statement this week.

"Although this is well below the 7,011 recorded when the survey began in 2011, the number represents a significant jump over the 2,795 recorded in 2015."

State officials said the survey was conducted in cooperation with school transportation directors from all 24 districts across the state, and that 76 percent of all Maryland school bus drivers took part, recording the number of incidents they witnessed of cars illegally passing their buses on the day of the survey.

Larger districts saw the most increases, with Baltimore County logging the highest total of 1,002 incidents on a single day. Montgomery County came in at a close second, with 999 incidents.

SEE ALSO: School Bus Laws, More Cameras Watching Drivers: Montgomery Back to School

Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Howard and Harford counties all saw increases in their totals. The City of Baltimore, though, saw its number of violations nearly cut in half, from 224 in 2015 to 128 in 2016.
Four smaller counties--Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, and Talbot–did not witness any violations, while Garrett and Queen Anne’s counties reported one each, and Kent County tallied two.

State officials said they are very concerned about the 2016 spike in dangerous incidents.
"Violations had been on a steady decline since the survey was launched, making the 2016 increase particularly concerning," officials said in the statement.

State Superintendent of Schools Karen B. Salmon issued her own comment on the survey findings.

"Maryland schools have re-opened for the new year, and all drivers must re-focus on the safety of our children. It is illegal to pass a bus with its stop-arm extended and its lights flashing," she said. “It is clear that we have more to do as we all work to keep students out of harm’s way.”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also expressed his concern, and just last month released more than $500,000 to local law enforcement agencies for enforcing Maryland school bus safety laws. The grants can be used for overtime pay for police officers who patrol streets when school buses are on the road, and for public education programs reminding drivers to stop when a bus is picking up or dropping off children.

Police and state officials are also reminding drivers of the consequences of illegally passing a school bus, such as fines and points on one's driver's license.

If caught and pulled over by a police officer, the penalty can be as much as $570 and three points on one's driver's license. If caught by a school-bus security camera, a ticket can be sent in the mail and include a fine of anywhere from $125 to $570.

What to Do When Approaching a School Bus:

• When a school bus stops, the flashing red lights go on and the stop sign flaps come out, drivers in BOTH directions are required to stop. This is the most dangerous time with children getting on or off the bus.
• It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus with its flashing red lights activated and stop-sign arm extended.
• Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results.
• Two-lane road: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions must stop.
• Two-lane road with center turn lane: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions must stop.
• Four-lane road without a center median: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions must stop.
• Divided highway of four lanes or more with a center median: When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following behind the bus must stop.

Tips for Kids, Parents:

• When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s OK before stepping onto the bus.
• When getting off the bus, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road). Move away from the bus as quickly as possible.
• Before crossing the street, take five “giant steps” out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen. Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
• Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic when crossing.
• Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings, and bookbags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.