Education, Featured
School bus drivers report hundreds of drivers a year
Posted on Nov 02, 2009 by Meredith Hines-Dochterman.
College Community School District bus driver Steve Tomash checks for traffic as he drives route No. 13 Oct. 22 in southwest Cedar Rapids. Tomash has written 17 stop-arm violations since the start of the school year. State law gives bus drivers the right to write up school bus violations and give the information to police officers for investigation. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
The school year is less than 3 months old, and Steve Tomash has compiled a number of stop-arm violations.
“It makes me so mad,” said Tomash, a bus driver for the College Community School District. “Drivers have no respect for kids’ safety.”
Nearly 240,000 Iowa students are transported by bus to and from school every day. In October 1998, the Iowa Department of Education asked schools to report the number of stop-arm violations on a particular day. The 156 schools who complied reported a combined total of 541 violations.
“Factor in 180 school days per year, and that’s an estimated 97,380 violations per school year,” said Max Christensen, school transportation executive officer for the Iowa Department of Education. “That’s a lot of chances for children to get hurt.”
State law requires drivers to stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended. State law also gives bus drivers the right to fill out a violation report if drivers don’t stop. The reports are turned into city, county or state law enforcement officers, who investigate and issue citations.
“You have to admire the bus drivers who fill out the forms,” said Lonny Pulkrabek, Johnson County sheriff. “You literally have a split second or two to get the information.”
Bus drivers have a 72-hour window to file a violation report. Law enforcement officers have seven days to investigate. If the information in the report does not match the information the officers uncover, they won’t issue a citation.
Six officers work in the Cedar Rapids Police Department’s traffic bureau. Investigating stop-arm violations consumes about half their workload, Sgt. Cory McGarvey said.
“I don’t think we can write enough tickets to fix this,” McGarvey said. “We have to educate the public.”
The Clear Creek Amana School District reports about 25 stop-arm violations a year. Most happen on the highway, said Keith Pirkl, the district’s transportation director.
“People need to wake up a little more in the morning and stay off their cell phone,” he said.
The risk is high.
“Drivers think they can beat the bus when they see the amber warning lights flash,” said Scott Grabe, transportation director for College Community schools.
What they don’t realize is that they are playing a potentially dangerous game.
“Every bus driver has had close calls,” said Curt Wheeler, general manager of Durham School Services in Iowa City. The company contracts bus services for the Iowa City school district. “It’s the kind of thing that keeps them up at night.”
Wheeler said his drivers turned in 281 stop-arm violations last year. College Community drivers reported about 200. Despite those numbers, some drivers question if it’s worth it to fill out violation reports.
Of the 137 reports turned in to Cedar Rapids police so far this school year, 61 resulted in tickets and 19 in warnings.
Christensen said many county attorneys won’t pursue the tickets, because they believe a conviction is difficult to get unless the driver can be identified. Iowa law does allow for the owner of a vehicle to be charged, regardless of who was driving at the time of the violation.
“It’s a frustrating process,” Christensen said.
JoeCamel
03. Nov, 2009
If school bus violations are consuming half the police force who work in the CRPD traffic bureau, something needs to be changed. No wonder there's so many deadly accidents and traffic camera's going up.
WWJD1
03. Nov, 2009
The Children come first, but school bus drivers have been seen taking risk and confusing people by not turning off their flashing yellow lights when they should have. Naturally, error on the side of the children, but not having the routes so tight and/or just do home schooling which may be safer because of all the violence, drugs, sex, questionable moral and ethics being taught, global standards instead of American standards being taught … it is easier to propagandize children than adults. Society wouldn't need a two paycheck economy if it wasn't for having to pay for public education, it would even make it easier for the single parent!
Interestedparty
03. Nov, 2009
WOW WOW WOW! That was quite the mental leap onto the old soapbox there.
FSM
03. Nov, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSNLHBj6ENI
GreenbayPackers
03. Nov, 2009
Today I seen one bus hit the back of another and not a one of them stopped to report it. Guess what they were both college community buses. If you don't believe me at the four way stop by the soccer fields you will see the red and amber glass from both buses. Report that College Community!
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
Report it to who? If the accident involved two buses from the same district and ONLY resulted in very minor (Lenses broken) damage then it is a non reportable accident that will be handled within the district itself.
WWJD1
03. Nov, 2009
Another problem may arise causing horrible consequences is that the school bus driver may be more concerned about getting the license plate number than protecting the child getting off the bus!
thumbsupracing
03. Nov, 2009
Can't the driver's call the CRPD as the violation happens? I would think some of them could put down their early morning coffee or afternoon whatever and respond to a call like that fairly quickly if available.
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
Most districts have a policy that strictly prohibits drivers from using a cell phone anytime a bus is being operated or when there are children on. The drivers attention should be on the students as they are getting on and off. Catching violators should be their secondary concern. That is why a great number of violations go unreported.
thumbsupracing
03. Nov, 2009
Well if they are legally stopped with red flashing lights and a stop arm out and in theory all other traffic is stopped for them as well, it would seem the opportune time to grab the phone or radio to their dispatch (if they still do that) the description, plate and direction of the offending vehicle…
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
"The drivers attention should be on the students as they are getting on and off. Catching violators should be their secondary concern." Another avenue that could be investigated would be the use of cameras outside the bus that catch violations.
BandFan621
04. Nov, 2009
In Minnesota that is what they do. In Illinois, a 500.00 fine for the 1st offence and a 1 year suspension of your license for the 2nd….
lvtycoon
03. Nov, 2009
Hey, this could be the work for another OBAMA CZAR …
NotASoccerMom04
03. Nov, 2009
I can't believe there are more violations. I watch my children across a side street on 1st Ave everyday because I have seen stupid drivers not paying attention almost take them and their crossing guard out and it pis ses me off. People do need to pay more attention to the road and others around them, before someone's child or children end up getting hurt or even worse.
getitdone
03. Nov, 2009
Do you know how many times a bus has pulled out in front of me on an icy road where I can't stop? Even when it hasn't been icy, school bus drivers pull right out in front of cars like a isn't a car there and I know they can clearly see. Yes, I agree there are many people who drive too fast, don't stop, etc., but it does not excuse the almost accidents that I have had with them pulling out in front of me. I wasn't driving fast, I had the right of way every time. You call the bus barn and they act like it isn't a big deal most of the time. So should I start calling police when they pull out in front of me?
GreenbayPackers
03. Nov, 2009
What about reporting on themselves? I seen yesterday one college community bus rear-end another by the soccer fields. They both just left without cleaning up the red and amber glass or reporting it. The reason they didn't report it. Fines, lost licence, and more. It is good they report other drivers but report yourselves also.
Plus a little police patrol out there would not be that bad with Kirkwood and College Community being out there. I see violations everyday – from speeding to running stop lights. When the light turns red that does not mean for the last two or three car to still go.
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
Again, report this to who? It was by all accounts a very minor "fender bender" that caused little damage and did not involve any students. This is an issue that should be and was handled within the district.
BandFan621
03. Nov, 2009
Two buses from the same district can smash into eachother all day off the public highway and there is no violation, or fine, or lost license. There only is the cost of replacing the lights in this case. NO one else was involved.
GreenbayPackers
03. Nov, 2009
On a public road no matter if who it is anything over 500 in damage needs to be reported. Now-a-days it don't take much to add up. Think about that for awhile!
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
The limit is $1500.00. Hasn't been $500 for a number of years.
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
Additionally, please correct me if I am wrong, In the case of property damage accidents (no injury) where both parties are present to exchange information, I do not believe either has any obligation to report to law enforcment. In these circumstances the report is required from the state DOT.
Robins2009
03. Nov, 2009
On a two lane road, both directions top – that is easy to understand. I have read different things when it comes to a 4 lane road – one said if it is 4 lane, only the two lanes on the side of the bus must stop. Traffic going the other direction on the other two lanes do not have to stop.
Another place I read is that the other direction must stop unless there is a median dividing the two lanes of traffic – which is correct?
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
I can answer this. On a road with tree or more lanes, an oncoming vehicle is not required to stop. In the same circumstances an overtaking (from the back) vehicle is ALWAYS required to stop. The reason an oncoming vehicle is not required to stop is partly because it is illegal for a district to set up a stop that has students crossing three or more lanes of traffic. It makes no difference if the lanes are physically divided.
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
My apologies, I mis-typed earlier. The road needs to be GREATER THAN three lanes. The actual code reads two or more lanes in each direction
CRFloodSurvivor
03. Nov, 2009
So who reports the bus drivers who break traffic laws? I see bus drivers from all of the local school disticts driving badly. Some bus drivers believe they own they road.
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
Very easy. ANYONE that observes school buses breaking traffic laws can report it. It can be reported to the police or if you so choose you can call the district bus supervisor. All buses have indentification on the front, back and both sides which is required by law so it should not be hard to identify who owns what bus.
Robins2009
03. Nov, 2009
So if there is a center turn lane, that counts as one lane, making a street a 3 lane street?
I have had buses turn in front of me when they should have waited, along Council Street. Some go so fast they are hard to catch to see the bus number.
Walter_Dunham
03. Nov, 2009
That is not correct. My apologies, I mis-typed earlier. The road needs to be greater than three lanes. The actual code reads "two or more lanes in each direction".
MeredithHD
03. Nov, 2009
Here is the law:
• Two-lane road and the school bus is displaying flashing yellow lights: Flashing yellow lights are an indication that the bus is going to stop. It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing. When approaching a school bus traveling in the opposite direction, a driver must slow the vehicle to 20 miles per hour or less when yellow lights are seen, and be prepared to stop when the stop arm is extended and red lights flash.
MeredithHD
03. Nov, 2009
Here is the law (continued):
• Two-lane road and the school bus is displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm: The bus is letting passengers on or off. It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind or from the opposite travel direction under these conditions. A driver must come to a complete stop at least 15 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the vehicle's flashing red lights deactivate and the stop arm is retracted. At all times, drivers should remain alert for pedestrians.
• Roadway with two or more lanes in each direction: A driver must stop when approaching the school bus from behind when yellow or red lights flash. However, under these roadway conditions, drivers need not stop when meeting a school bus traveling in the opposite direction. School bus drivers are not permitted to let passengers on or off the bus in situations where they must cross multiple lanes of traffic.
MeredithHD
03. Nov, 2009
Unlawful passing of a school bus carries a $100 fine, plus a 35 percent surcharge and court costs for a total fine of $195.
MyViewPoint
03. Nov, 2009
First of all, thank for your very informative information about the LAW as it applies to this subject.
This is the 'way it is' and must be obeyed without doubt. If there are any that believe a violation of this law is in error,or an inconvenience and consider violating it, I would suggest they consider the possibility and consequences of the end result so far as endangerment to the bus and the students they transport efficiently and safely.
wb191
03. Nov, 2009
Law enforcement has lost their focus, and State funding has limited their ability. Most agencies (Iowa City) worry about PAULA's, and padding the budget. The focus should be on safety, service, and protection. Why involve attorneys and reports? Why is everything so report driven. Spend half of the time doing studies and reports and educate and enforce. If one squad car per day followed a school bus along it's route it would only take an hour or two out of that officer's day. Do that across the State, and people start getting the clue. Bump the fine up to $4,000 per offense, and it ends.
Ann_Onamouse
03. Nov, 2009
Having been reported one time, but not ticketed, was enough for me to be more careful, and pay more attention when around school buses. Having an officer show up at my door unexpectedly was pretty frightening..
CitiXen
03. Nov, 2009
Yes people should obey the laws to keep children safe but let's be honest it seems like this guy has at least a medium sized chip on his shoulder.
BandFan621
03. Nov, 2009
I don't own the road…. just the portion I am currently using!
BandFan621
03. Nov, 2009
Technically, we all pull out in front of someone all the time. Question is, did he leave you enough time to react to his turning in front of you. We are sorry if you had to "slow" down a little, perhaps not even apply your brakes, and delay you 3 seconds from what ever it is you deem so important to be at. School busrs are big, slow, and yellow. have a little courtesy for the occupants inside as after all, they may be someone you know.
WWJD1
03. Nov, 2009
Society has complicated itself so much and it is only going to get worse; oh, for the days when life was simple, people feared and/or had reverence for God (i.e. the Father of Jesus Christ) and really cared about one another and helped one another!
saysme
03. Nov, 2009
While I'm 100% for protecting children, I wonder how they're getting the license plate info. If a car is taking off, who has the time to get that?! They sure manage to get the info A LOT. I think more often what's happening is what I personally witnessed. A person in front of me wasn't paying too much attention, saw the bus driver flailing at them, and then stopped hurried, when they realized their mistake. I watched a bus driver write down this person's info, and they probably should get a warning, but I think these are the people who's plates they're managing to get, and get ticketed – not the people who don't care and just fly by. Install cameras on the buses if this is a big problem! At least the ones that have the most dangerous routes with cars not stopping. Let the bus drivers focus on the kids.
travesty76
03. Nov, 2009
I've lived in many places; beach towns, northern and southern cities, and all in between, and honestly Cedar Rapids has the worst red-light traffic violators I 've ever witnessed. I witness every day, at least five blown red-light runners. And they are not even close to "just making it", it is a complete disregard for the traffic safety and the respect of the road. So, to see this school bus stop-arm violations doesn't surprsise me at all. I can only pray that someone's child isn't at the end of someone else complete disregard for safety and life. Because blowing a red light is just that.
BandFan621
04. Nov, 2009
It is easier to get the license number when the violator comes from the front of the Bus to be sure. However, when we see you coming from behind and can tell you are not stopping we are prepared to get your license as you go by, a description of you, and your car. We already have the time, date and location as that remains constant. The law as it is written (believe this ) does NOT call foe a warning. IF you have received a warning count your blessings as the Officer DID NOT follow the Code-Law. It calls for a shall prepare a uniform citation and shall issue to the driver of the car if known, or the "OWNER" of the car if not known. Thats it. Period, paragraph. You run the lights, you SHOULD be citited according to law. 195.00 Thank you very much.
BandFan621
04. Nov, 2009
I wonder what the Cedar Rapids Schools had to say as i didn't see where they comented. Were they contacted at all as I would assume they bus more kids than all the others put together.
MeredithHD
04. Nov, 2009
They were contacted but didn't release the number of violations their drivers turned in.
BandFan621
04. Nov, 2009
Then what did they release or talk about? Perhaps the weather? Did they or anyone else refuse to comment about this topic that you are aware of? The Police guy I talked to at the game Monday night said they just don't have enough Officers to go around.
Walter_Dunham
04. Nov, 2009
Why would they not release the number of violations turned in? You would think public awareness would only help. The violations/citations are public record anyway.
BandFan621
05. Nov, 2009
Mr. Dunham, If you are referring to the School District they have been very supportive and have supplied the Drivers with all the necessary materials to report these violations. However there are two phases to this "educational process" as the local authorities refer to it as. One the violation reports then the investigation and subsequent citation issuance. The Cedar Rapids' Police Dept's record on the issuance of citations has been so dismal that IMO I feel the School District doesn't want to alienate the Police from them in regards to what "little" support they do have. By broadcasting the dropping of the ball sort of speak is both like not being able to ski and looking bad standing in the chalet.
If you are referring to the Police being protective of that information I liken it to not wanting to pass around your report card showing a bunch of D's. It is not something to be proud of.
HairyBarker
04. Nov, 2009
I'm all for safe driving, especially around school buses/kids, but what about the unsafe school bus drivers? Who gets to issue tickets for their poor driving?
BandFan621
04. Nov, 2009
HairyBarker Nice name….. Can you be more specific about School Bus Drivers poor driving habits? The subject of this article was poor driving habits of the public. It has been my experience that when a person is confronted about a issue that they are guilty of or poor at they drop, cover and roll much like you did by trying to deflect the stop arm issue and blame the Bus Drivers. I can assure that School Bus Drivers DO NOT run their own Stop Arms……
While School Bus drivers are certainly guilty of driving violations, School Buses are 77 times safer than your automobile based on miles driven and number of accidents. A child is 77 times safer in a School Bus than your car. How does that make you feel?
Walter_Dunham
04. Nov, 2009
The police. Call them with the information. Why would it be any different than anyone else you see doing something illegal?