Press Release

WARSAW — As summer break draws to an end, it’s nearing that time of year when children will be heading back to school.

Returning to school can be exciting for kids, and their parents, and it also means school buses return to the roads.

Kosciusko County Prosecutor Brad Voelz is urging drivers to take precautions and be aware of their surroundings. Ignoring school bus stop arms can have tragic or fatal consequences, as this community knows all too well.

In Indiana, it’s against the law for motorists to pass a buss that’s stopped and has its red lights flashing with the stop arm extended.

Unfortunately, school bus stop arm violations are all too common in Indiana. Voelz wishes to remind us all to slow down around school buses and in school zones, and to always make a full stop when the school bus stop arm is extended and the red lights are flashing.

A national survey in 2022 found that almost a third of buses recorded stop arm violations. During the one-day survey, 6,665 bus drivers from 195 school districts in Indiana counted and reported stop arm violations throughout the day. In total, drivers recorded an unbelievable 2,041 violations, according to the National School Bus Illegal Passing Driver Survey.

Disregarding a school bus stop arm is a Class A infraction, which could result in a fine of up to $10,000 and a license suspension up to one year. Recklessly passing a stop arm is a criminal offense, which could result in jail time. The punishment is much more severe, up to years in prison, if injuries or death occur as a result of the reckless passing.

“There is absolutely no excuse for ignoring school bus stop arms,” said Voelz. “For kids and our community to be safe, we must all take this seriously. Please pay attention, be patient, and slow down.”