Trevor Clatfelter- BusGates Co-Founder
When it comes to the safety of children on their way to and from school, there’s no room for compromise. Unfortunately, drivers are illegally passing stopped school buses at an alarming rate of nearly 43 million “drive arounds” each year putting millions of children in harm's way. To combat the problem, school districts are turning to new technologies that can help reduce the risk.
ABC News recently examined some of these efforts, including external cameras which have become popular to help crack down on violations that can come with big fines. Unfortunately, cameras aren’t meant to stop the illegal passings in the first place. That’s where innovative solutions like BusGates stop arm extensions come into play, and why individual states must pass laws allowing school districts to use them.
Standard school bus stop arms, while helpful, don’t always catch the attention of distracted or speeding drivers. The bright red stop sign that swings out from the side of the bus has largely remained unchanged for more than 30 years and can often be blocked from view by traffic or simply overlooked by drivers who are in a rush.
Stop arm extensions like those from BusGates quite literally extend the zone of safety around the bus. Unlike standard stop arms, these extensions reach further into the roadway, providing a physical barrier that drivers cannot miss. By making buses more visible, especially to drivers in oncoming lanes or those who might be coming from behind at a distance, these stop arms act as a powerful deterrent to illegal passing.
Research shows that illegal passing incidents are significantly reduced when larger, more noticeable stop arms are in place. The wider reach means motorists have a greater opportunity to see the warning and stop in time, allowing children to cross the road safely.
Why State Legislation Matters
Even though BusGates stop arm extensions are quickly gaining popularity because of their immediate effectiveness, some school districts are restricted by state laws that don’t allow these enhancements on buses. That’s why it's so important for individual states to update their laws and regulations, making it easier for districts to adopt this life-saving technology. School districts need to advocate for any new technology that keeps students safer, especially during the most dangerous time of their day- getting on and off a school bus. When states take action, it empowers districts to make the right choice for their students and communities.
Every school’s number one priority is keeping children safe. By giving them the ability to make school buses more visible and enforce stronger stop laws with stop arm extensions, we’re taking a big step toward ensuring that students get to and from school safely every day.