To enhance safety for school children, North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) Troopers in the southwest region will partner with school officials from Richardton Taylor Public Schools to conduct a ‘Trooper on a Bus’ enforcement effort on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
During ‘Trooper on a Bus,’ an NDHP trooper rides along on a regular bus route and observes drivers. If a violation occurs, the trooper will radio the information to another trooper in a nearby squad car where a traffic stop will be initiated with enforcement action taken. One of the most serious violations is passing a school bus in either direction when it is completely stopped, and the red lights are flashing or the ‘stop arm’ is extended.
NDHP Safety and Education Officer Sgt. Wade Kadrmas notes the overtaking violation can result in a $100 fine and 6 points against the driver’s record. He states, “North Dakota law protects the safety of students by making it illegal for drivers to pass a school bus dropping off or picking up students, regardless of the direction of approach.”
NDHP’s ‘Trooper on a Bus’ is one of many activities used to enhance public safety and to spread awareness of traffic laws to protect the safety of North Dakotans. This is one of several focus areas of North Dakota’s Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries.