Associated Press Published

Extended School Bus Stop Signs Not Deterring Drivers

extended stop sign

Six-foot-long stop arms on school buses haven’t deterred some drivers from trying to illegally pass.

Kanawha County Schools executive transportation director Brette Farley tells The Charleston Gazette-Mail that the new stop arms have been hit six times since the school year began in August.

In Cabell County, schools transportation director Joe Meadows says one driver hit an arm.

Cabell, Kanawha and Greenbrier counties participated in a pilot study of the extended arms in August. North Carolina-based Bus Safety Solutions donated 10 arms to each county.

Despite the hits, Farley and Meadows say the extended arms have reduced illegal passing of school buses.

A recent survey by a national transportation directors association says more than 78,000 vehicles illegally passed school buses in 26 states on a single day.