Safety Must Remain Front and Center Especially at the Bus Stop

School buses are one of the safest forms of transportation in the U.S., yet the most dangerous moments for students don’t happen on the bus, they happen around it.

Every day, millions of children rely on motorists to obey stop-arm laws. And every day, too many don’t. National survey data shows tens of millions of illegal stop-arm passings occur each year, putting students at risk when they’re boarding or exiting the bus.

This is the problem we set out to solve at BusGates.

Expanding the Safety Zone at the School Bus Stop

Traditional stop-arms play an important role, but in today’s distracted-driving environment, visibility alone isn’t always enough. Stop-arm extensions change the equation by physically extending the safety zone into the roadway, making the stop unavoidable and creating critical space where children cross.

While seat belts and advanced driver-assist systems are important safety tools, they don’t protect a child stepping into traffic. That’s why stop-arm bus stop safety must remain front and center in student transportation conversations in 2026.

Protecting Children Beyond the Bus: The Role of Stop-Arm Extensions

Protecting students requires solutions designed for the real world, where distractions exist and mistakes happen. At BusGates, we believe stronger physical protection at the bus stop isn’t optional. It’s essential.