A Macomb school bus driver told the Board of Education that some motorists are failing to heed the stop arm on her bus. That has her worried for student’s safety.
The stop arm swings out from the bus whenever it pauses to pick up or drop off children.
Bus driver Terra Litchfield said on average, one car a day blows through the stop sign. On one recent day, there were three right in a row.
“It’s frustrating and I’m just afraid something is going to happen, something bad is going to happen. It’s a very big problem,” she said.
Litchfield said other school bus drivers are having the same problem.
She would like to see cameras added to the stop arms. The cameras could record information such as the license plate number and a description of the vehicle, which could then be shared with police.
Superintendent Patrick Twomey said bus companies make many types of cameras for their vehicles.
“They make stop arm cameras. They make cameras that go up in the corners. They make special cameras so you can see behind each bus seat so you can actually view each child individually,” he said.
“I’ll work with Durham Bus Services and we’ll do what we can to find a solution.”
Durham operates 16 buses and four vans in the school district, and estimated it transports 400-500 children during each morning and afternoon run.
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