Area police are conducting a week-long Stop Arm Violation Awareness campaign through Friday, in conjunction with the Valparaiso Community Schools.
A release said Valparaiso police, the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, and the Indiana State Police will be on the lookout for motorists who disregard school bus stop arms that are activated when students board or depart from a bus.
Law enforcement officers will be increasing their presence around school bus routes throughout the week, focusing on both enforcement and education.
The goal is to ensure that all drivers understand they need to stop when the bus’s arm is extended.
The release said the initiative aims to educate drivers on the serious risks of illegally passing a school bus while its stop arm is extended—a violation that endangers the lives of children entering or exiting the bus.
According to the Indiana Department of Education, an estimated 2,500 stop arm violations occur each school day in Indiana, adding up to more than 450,000 violations annually.
Police said despite existing laws and penalties, these infractions remain common.