MARSHALL — The City of Marshall is seeing a sharp increase in school bus stop-arm violations this year, according to Director of Public Safety and Police Chief Jim Marshall. Speaking last week, Marshall said the department is receiving reports “once or twice a day,” a trend backed by new technology installed on Southwest Coaches buses.
The bus company added camera systems to its fleet over the past two years, funded in part by a grant. Each bus now carries two cameras, capturing clear video of vehicles that fail to stop when buses activate their flashing lights and stop arms.
From September through November, the Marshall Police Department has charged 57 violations, an increase of roughly 300 percent over last year. Marshall said officers previously relied on bus drivers to identify vehicles and license plates, something difficult to do in the moment. The new video evidence leaves “no arguing” what occurred, he added.
Police continue to emphasize education and awareness, but Marshall noted that accountability is also a factor. A stop-arm violation carries fines starting at 500 dollars, and if children are present, the offense becomes a gross misdemeanor.
Marshall urged drivers to stay alert around school buses and school zones, referencing a serious crosswalk incident earlier this year. “We don’t want to ever see that happen again,” he said.
