Ashton-Franklin Center Reduces Violations with LED School Bus Stop Arm Extension

Ashton-Franklin Center buses equipped with BusGates LED stop-arm extensions. Read the full story at WIFR.

As the new school year begins, safety has taken center stage in the Ashton-Franklin Center School District. To combat the all-too-common danger of motorists ignoring stopped school buses—an estimated 39 million violations nationwide each year—the district installed our LED school bus stop arm extension, a game-changing move that’s already gaining attention.

From Frequent Infractions to Just One

District Transportation Supervisor Julie Lewis vividly recalls the previous danger:

“Lots and lots of motorists blowing our stop signs… at 55 to 60 mph, just flying right past us.”

Three years ago, the district fitted their buses with BusGates LED stop-arm extensions—five-foot LED bars that dramatically increase visibility and clearly signal when the bus is stopped. The result? Only one violation has occurred since installation. That’s a leap towards safer roads and peace of mind for everyone involved.

Safety Meets Simplicity

Lewis explains how the technology works its magic:

“The stop signs on the bus are very small, but adding the bar… it reaches out really far and motorists can actually see the flashing lights. It’s a great deterrent… It’s also if they leave, it’s considered a hit and run… it becomes a felony.”

The effect is powerful—a visual and psychological barrier that discourages risky behavior and reinforces safety.

Bridging the Visibility Gap in Rural Areas

Superintendent Michael Lindy shares that these extensions are particularly vital on rural routes prone to low visibility during winter storms:

“Out in the country in spring or winter… visibility drops in storms, and these extensions show up the most because they’re so brightly lit.”

For families, this means reassurance that safety measures aren’t just adequate—they’re exceptional.

A Safety-First Investment

At approximately $600 per bus, these stop-arm upgrades are a cost-effective solution with measurable impact. Lindy hopes other districts will take note:

It’s “affordable and effective,” he says—“a way to reduce dangerous violations.”

And while the technology is a game-changer, district leaders stress that safety also depends on driver awareness and community vigilance:

“It only takes a second if you don’t see a kid… If they drop a pencil and they run for it, that’s it. Your life is over and so is theirs… and you have taken away someone’s child.”

Read More About the LED School Bus Stop Arm Extension in the Full Article

👉 You can read the full story here: https://www.wifr.com/2025/08/28/bus-stop-arm-extension-reduces-violations-ashton-franklin-center-school-district/