In Indiana, August brings hot weather, the State Fair and also the start of a new school year. Every school year the Indiana State Police receives numerous complaints about school bus stop arm violations from school corporations around the state. The Indiana Department of Education surveys school corporations annually for stop arm violations on one given day, and reports those numbers to the National Association of State Directors for Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS). 

In 1999, there were 932 stop arm violations on one day in September. This year, on April 29th, there were 2,577 stop arm violations reported in the state. There are just over 16,000 school buses on the road in Indiana, and according to the yearly statistics, as the number of school buses on the road has increased, so has the number of school bus stop arm violations. The Indiana State Police would like to remind motorists of the Indiana law concerning school buses, flashing lights and stop arms. 

Remember, when approaching a school bus, from any direction, which is stopped with its flashing red lights activated and its stop arm extended, motorists are required to STOP, even on multiple lane highways. 

•Motorists who are on a highway that is divided by a barrier or unimproved median are required to stop only if they are traveling the same direction as the school bus. If there is no unimproved median or barrier, then all lanes in all directions must stop. 

When approaching a school bus always be prepared to stop and watch for stopped traffic. 

Disregarding a school bus stop arm is a serious violation and one that school bus drivers are quick to report. Violation of this law is a Class “A” infraction and is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000. 

The Indiana State Police is committed to the safety of our children, motorists and highways, and will continue our enforcement and education efforts to ensure that safety. To learn more about national stop arm violation statistics you may access the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services web site at 
http://www.nasdpts.org/StopArm/index.html 

To contact the Indiana State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division with questions about stop arm violations you may click on the link https://secure.in.gov/ISP/BusInspections/Public/Index then click on email ISP. 

Washington County SOAR! has completed and received the $8,000.00 matching grant from the Washington County Community Foundation, according to Stephanie K. Rockey, the new director of the literacy program now based in the local library. 

“Through private donations and fundraisers we received the funds to complete the matching grant,” said Rockey. “Our long standing mission is to increase literacy throughout Washington County by promoting and providing educational resources for adults and families.”

Rockey said  the program will continue to promote literacy through individualized one-on-one adult tutoring; the Put Your Nose In A Book program; The Dictionary Project, and numerous community events.

“Increasing the literacy rate among Washington County adults and promoting literacy within the youth, will close the gap and lower the illiteracy rate in the future,” she said. “We have been thriving, since our restructuring took place earlier this year and now this matching grant further strengthens our foundation. As always, our mission has stayed intact and will continue to thrive. The Washington County Community Foundation is a true blessing to our community and to SOAR!”

For more information about SOAR! visit our website at www.washingtoncountysoar.org or call Rockey at 812-883-5600.