JEFFERSON COUNTY, WV - In Jefferson County, kids who ride the school bus to and from school had some company today, and they were wearing badges.
Recently, an eight-year old was struck and injured by a driver who did not stop for a school bus that had its stop sign out and flashing lights on.
As part of a safety awareness campaign, school officials have partnered with the West Virginia State Police to crack down on drivers illegally passing buses.
Troopers rode along with students to keep an eye out for aggressive drivers, but luckily, Thursday's ride along went smoothly.
"If there's any vehicles that we saw violating, I would let our vehicle behind know, and he'd pull them over and write them a citation," says Corporal Chumley, a West Virginia State Trooper.
In West Virginia, buses transport about 230,000 students each day.
"As a mother, grandmother, I speak for others. It is important that we are carrying precious cargo and we need to make sure that people, when it comes to a school bus, that they stop," says Dawn Imbach, a Jefferson County bus driver.
At the end of the day bus drivers want to make sure children are getting to and from school safely and reliably.
Drivers who fail to stop and ignore a school bus' stop arm and flashing warning lights can be charged with a felony. If their actions result in injury or death, those drivers can lose their licenses.
Recently, an eight-year old was struck and injured by a driver who did not stop for a school bus that had its stop sign out and flashing lights on.
As part of a safety awareness campaign, school officials have partnered with the West Virginia State Police to crack down on drivers illegally passing buses.
Troopers rode along with students to keep an eye out for aggressive drivers, but luckily, Thursday's ride along went smoothly.
"If there's any vehicles that we saw violating, I would let our vehicle behind know, and he'd pull them over and write them a citation," says Corporal Chumley, a West Virginia State Trooper.
In West Virginia, buses transport about 230,000 students each day.
"As a mother, grandmother, I speak for others. It is important that we are carrying precious cargo and we need to make sure that people, when it comes to a school bus, that they stop," says Dawn Imbach, a Jefferson County bus driver.
At the end of the day bus drivers want to make sure children are getting to and from school safely and reliably.
Drivers who fail to stop and ignore a school bus' stop arm and flashing warning lights can be charged with a felony. If their actions result in injury or death, those drivers can lose their licenses.
