Utah bus drivers urging drivers to respect flashing stop arms

SALT LAKE CITY — School is about to be back in session and Utah bus drivers are pleading with drivers to pay attention and not disregard the flashing stop arms on school buses.

When a school bus is stopped and the stop arm is extended students are getting on and off the bus and crossing the street.

Marcus Swainston, a school bus trainer from Jordan School District said he sees people ignore them almost daily.

“I don’t even think they’re seeing us. As a bus driver, you’re paying attention to those vehicles coming towards you and behind you and all the kids getting on and off the bus. A lot of times, what I see is they’re [drivers] are on their cellphones, or they’re diving distracted,” Swainston said. 

Salt Lake County bus driver Nachole Workman said she also sees cars drive through the stop zones almost daily. She says its crucial for drivers to stop and wait while the red lights flash. 

“Kids are coming from the side of the street, coming on to the bus, coming from both sides. You’ve got kids crossing the road,” said Workman.

West Valley Detective Mike Millett emphasized that its the law and a critical safety measure to remain stopped until the stop arms retract and the lights turn off.

“It’s time to start [school] back up, and there’s going to be buses picking up kids. And we need to pay extra attention to those kids and those buses and make sure we stop for them. We need to make sure they stay safe,” said Millett.

Swainston urges drivers to respect the bus when the lights are flashing for the safety of the students. 

“Drive as if it would be your child getting on or off the bus. Just be super careful around us and take that extra time to just stop and pay attention to what’s going on.”

Eric Cabrera is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. You can follow him on Instagram.

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