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School bus accidents often due to drivers ignoring “stop arm”

On Behalf of | Oct 30, 2019 | car accidents

Indiana parents place their children on a school bus every day during the school year. They do so with the belief they are putting their children in a safe environment to get them back and forth to their destinations. While this is understandable, there are growing concerns about whether those who share the road with school buses are adhering to the law.

A growing worry is the number of drivers who pass school buses despite the “stop arm” being activated. When there is an accident because of this violation, victims should know how to pursue compensation. State law enforcement began a campaign to assess how many drivers commit this violation. It found that nearly 2,600 drivers passed school buses in one day even when the stop arm was out.

Certain areas like LaGrange County have taken steps to catch drivers who do this. Recently, law enforcement took to the road with school buses in areas that they deemed high priority due to the number of violations. Drivers are required to stop unless they are on a road with a large median. This is true regardless of the direction the driver is headed.

Although the public was informed of the campaign, officers spotted two infractions. For 2019, there have been a total of 28 such violations in the county. Some counties have installed cameras on the buses so violators can be recorded. This is perceived as a positive and has reduced the number of violations. Still, the issue continues.

Any motor vehicle accident can cause injuries and fatalities. Following a crash due to a violation of basic driving safety, the victims must be fully protected. A law firm experienced in auto collisions and pursuing compensation can help with the investigation and filing a claim.