Many drivers still illegally pass stopped school buses

If the bright yellow doesn’t capture careful attention, the stop sign and flashing lights should.

And yet many drivers still illegally pass a school bus as it stops to pick up or drop off children.

School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 20-24. The awareness effort, which runs the third week of October each year, aims to remind the public about the importance of school bus safety. This year’s theme is, “At my stop, you stop!”

Drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus when it has its stop-arm out are a perennial problem.

A one-day data collection on May 1 yielded 1,678 instances statewide in which drivers passed buses that had their stop sign out, a 10.2 percent increase from 2013. One reason for the increase is likely because more districts participated in the reporting effort.

“On the other hand, every violation is a potential accident that can harm a student,” state schools Superintendent Randy Dorn said in a statement. “I urge all drivers to respect all traffic laws.”

Of particular concern, he said, were the 66 instances of vehicles passing buses on the right — the side on which students enter the bus.

In Snohomish County, drivers in nine school districts participated in the May count, reporting 202 instances of drivers ignoring school bus stop signals. That’s a 63 percent increase over 2013, when drivers in seven districts reported 124 instances.

Locally, violations ranged from a high of 69 motorists illegally passing a school bus in the Everett School District, which contracts with Durham School Services, to zero violations noted by Darrington School District drivers.

A state law passed in 2011 gives districts the authority to put cameras on buses, similar to the red light cameras installed at intersections, which would allow violators to be ticketed.

Violations are treated like a parking infraction but carry a hefty fine of up to $394 — double the fine for infractions in a school zone.

School districts can affix the special cameras on any or all buses in their fleet only after a public vote by the school board.

So far, only the Highline and Bethel school districts are believed to have gone through the process and added the special cameras, said Nathan Olson, a spokesman for the state superintendent’s office.

No Snohomish County district has done so, although the Everett School District has discussed the possibility.

School districts frequently use cameras on school buses in other ways.

The Marysville School District, for example, has several buses with a four-camera system, including a dash view.

“Our goal is to have (similar internal) cameras installed on all buses by the end of the year,” said Jodi Runyon, who works in the superintendent’s office.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.