The N.C. Highway Patrol is in the midst of a campaign designed to improve traffic safety around school buses and school bus stops.

“Operation Stop Arm” runs Oct. 15-19, and troopers will be assigned special patrols in and around school zones and conduct “follow-a-school-bus” activities. The 2011 campaign netted 1,059 traffic citations.

The Highway Patrol urges drivers to help with the task of keeping students safe on highways by being aware of school zones and buses, obeying the speed limit and never passing a school bus that is stopped to load or unload students.

N.C. General Statute 20-217 states that drivers must stop when approaching a stopped school bus from any direction if the bus has its mechanical sign or flashing red lights displayed to receive or discharge passengers.

Drivers do not have to stop if they are traveling in the opposite direction AND the road has been dived into two roadways, such as by a physical barrier or median.

Anyone who violates the law is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor and may not receive a prayer for judgment continued under any circumstances. Any person who violates the law and strikes a person is guilty of a felony.