Police remind drivers to be aware of school buses

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana State Police are reminding drivers to be alert for school buses as summer vacation comes to an end.

State police say they receive numerous complaints about drivers failing to stop for school buses with red lights flashing and stop arms extended. On one day in April this year there were 2,577 stop arm violations reported in Indiana.

State police say drivers approaching a school bus that is stopped with its flashing red lights activated and its stop arm extended are required to stop even on multiple lane highways. Drivers on a highway divided by a barrier or unimproved median are required to stop only if traveling the same direction as the school bus.

Disregarding a school bus stop arm is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000.