One of the worst nightmares for every parent is to send their child off to school only to see them struck down on their way to catch the bus. Winston-Salem resident, Rachael Izquierdo, would say she came too close to witnessing that nightmare when her daughter was forced to jump onto the school bus, narrowly avoiding a truck speeding past the stopped bus with its lights flashing.
“I ran down with my arms waving!” she exclaimed as she relived the chilling events for WFMY News 2. “I’m yelling at the guy, ‘hey stop there’s a bus there’s a bus!’”
A Lesson in Driver Safety From Your Winston-Salem Car Accident Lawyers
It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, and failing to stop for a school bus can have devastating consequences. The risks that come with this act are insurmountable, and yet hundreds of thousands of drivers continue to choose their own agendas over the safety of children trying to get to school. As Winston-Salem car accident lawyers, we care deeply about the safety of residents in our community. We believe our neighbors should be aware of this unacceptable issue plaguing our roadways.
Violators Are Being Counted
The illegal act of passing a school bus while its lights are flashing is commonly known as a stop-arm violation due to the stop-sign shaped arm that is extended from the bus signaling drivers to stop. Every year, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services requests schools all over the nation to observe and report all stop-arm violations witnessed in a single day. The reports are then compiled and studied to monitor patterns of violations and behaviors.
Through the 2019 survey, we learned 130,963 school bus drivers reported 95,319 vehicles illegally passed their buses in a single day. By these numbers, it can be assumed over 17 million violations are being committed throughout a 180-day school year. That’s 17 million times a child’s life is at risk in just 180 days.
What Drivers Are Risking When FAILING TO STOP FOR a School Bus
We all have places to be. It can be fairly easy to become consumed with the glowing clock on the dash — but it is never acceptable to pass a school bus when its flashing lights are on. The NASDPTS survey noted six consecutive shocking days in which six students were killed in stop-arm violations or while waiting at a bus stop. In addition to these losses, eight other students and two adults were injured over the span of these six days.
When motorists get behind the wheel of a vehicle, they are accepting the responsibilities that come with their right to drive. They are accepting the duty of care they owe each individual on the road, as well as their duty to abide by the law. If you were injured or a loved one was hurt or killed by a stop-arm violator, our Winston-Salem car accident lawyers may be able to help you seek justice and compensation for your loss.
A Champion For Every Client
Our experienced attorneys at Lewis & Keller have been helping accident victims seek compensation through personal injury cases for years. If you have been affected by someone failing to stop for a school bus, our legal team may be able to help you through this difficult time. We offer legal advice as well as free consultations when you call our office at 336-765-7777 or fill out our online Free Case Review form. Don’t wait to get the justice you deserve. Call us today.
