Concerns Rise Over Drivers Ignoring School Bus Stop Signs in Dearborn Heights
In Dearborn Heights, there is a growing alarm over drivers who continue failing to halt for school buses as kids are boarding or disembarking. Residents in both Dearborn and Dearborn Heights worry that this disregard for safety laws may lead to a disastrous accident.
One parent, whose daughter attends Howe Montessori School in Dearborn Heights, expressed her fears. Her 13-year-old daughter, who is wheelchair bound due to Rett syndrome, uses the school bus for transportation. The mother revealed that vehicles not stopping when her daughter is getting on or off the bus near their home is a nearly daily occurrence. “They don’t care. The majority of them just blow right past (the bus),” she laments.
As evidence, a surveillance video has surfaced, clearly showing cars failing to stop for a school bus during its scheduled stop time. This worrying trend is not limited to just school buses. In July, an increased number of drivers were reported to ignore stop signs within the same area. In response, Dearborn Heights Police added extra patrols in the area. This move led to several drivers being cited for traffic violations, some even arrested for more serious offenses.
Another resident, a retired employee of Dearborn Public Schools and a grandmother whose grandchildren rely on school bus transport, bemoans the worsening situation. She urges drivers to abide by the traffic rules and be mindful of children’s safety. She notes, “Everybody’s in too much of a hurry now a days”.
The local police authorities are equally astonished at the numerous violations. They are reminding all drivers that both sides of traffic must stop when a school bus halts to pick up or drop off students. The police have already begun cracking down on reckless driving in school zones and around students this academic year. A local police officer expressed his frustration saying, “Honestly, it blows my mind. It’s five to ten seconds of your life to wait for these school buses.”
Fines for such violations can range from $100 to $500. According to the law, failing to obey a crossing guard’s instructions can result in a misdemeanor. The police officer reiterated, “Our kids are the most important thing in this city. It’s just not worth it”. As the new academic year proceeds, residents are hoping for increased vigilance and adherence to traffic laws, in order to ensure the safety of young students.
