South Carolina Highway Patrol educating drivers on school bus stop-arm violations

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - Since before the start of the 2023-2024 school year, the South Carolina Highway Patrol has been educating drivers on school bus safety and keeping drivers accountable for their actions.

Troopers have been specifically focused on stop-arm violations.

There are over 70 school districts throughout the state, with Horry County Schools being the second largest. In fact, nearly 60,000 students ride to and from school each day across the county.

“You must anticipate that a school bus is going to have to stop and load or unload. Be prepared, and do not pass the bus,” said Sgt. Matt Southern.

Southern is the only SCHP employee assigned to monitor anything related to school bus transportation.

“I help to oversee every stop-arm violation that comes in from the state. I also help oversee all collisions involving school buses as well,” said Southern.

The district has been involved with a pilot program involving additional cameras installed on three buses in service. The cameras are placed on the left side of the bus and can capture license plates and vehicles in violation of the stop-arm law.

“Per state law, we can go and issue a citation to someone if they are captured on video passing a stopped school bus,” said Southern.

A trooper, sheriff’s deputy, or police officer travels to a violator’s home to issue a citation totaling $1,062.50. The ticket comes with six points on the driver’s history, which is halfway to a suspended license.

“We wish we didn’t have to install these cameras on the buses. We wish that every motorist that saw a school bus did what they’re supposed to do and stop according to the law,” said Southern.

HCS operates 424 school buses and the district has not seen any fatal injuries connected to a stop-arm violation.

“We don’t want any, we want it to be a situation where people understand and know what the law is when interacting with the bus on a two and multi-lane highway,” said Ben Prince, executive director of transportation for the district.

There is still some confusion about when a vehicle must stop for a school bus with the red lights and indicators on, SCHP has listed these reminders for drivers:

• When on a two-lane road or highway, both directions must stop when the stop-arm and lights are on.
• If you are on a two-lane road or highway with a center median all vehicles must stop when the stop-arm and lights are on.
• If you are on a four-lane road or highway, with or without a center median, vehicles traveling in the same direction the bus is on must stop. Drivers on the opposite side of the street are not required to stop, but should always proceed with caution.

Part of the process to hold drivers accountable includes school bus drivers filling out a stop-arm violation form, which is submitted to the highway patrol for investigation.

“That’s how we know we’re having problem areas. When we identify those problem areas, we’re able to send local law enforcement or troopers to follow a bus or be in the general area,” said Southern.

SCHP has been paying close attention to areas of Highway 544, Glenns Bay Road, and Highway 707.

Kenya is a Socastee mother, whose daughter rides the bus daily to and from her elementary school. She said she hasn’t noticed drivers breaking the law in her neighborhood.

“The cars stop behind the bus,” said Kenya.

She added that she feels her daughter and the other students are safe on the bus.

Safety remains the goal for law enforcement officers throughout the state.

“The fines are hefty because we’re talking about keeping people safe,” said Southern.

For additional information about stop-arm safety and other road safety tips from SCHP, you can visit their website.

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