Corbin police to target motorists for ignoring school bus stop signs

Corbin Police say they are receiving more and more complaints of motorists not stopping for school buses.

Lt. Glenn Taylor said state law requires motorists in both directions to stop if there is not a grass or concrete median divider.

“The two biggest problem areas are around the Kroger shopping center on Falls Hwy and on Master Street,” Taylor said, explaining that many people believe since there is a turn lane in the middle, they don’t have to stop for a bus on the other side.

“Everybody has to stop from curb to curb,” he said.

Taylor said when a bus stops and the door opens, the children are focused on getting on or off the bus and not paying attention to traffic.

“The kids go running, thinking everyone should stop,” Taylor said.

Taylor added he has gone to multiple bus drivers’ meetings and this is the most common issue the drivers bring up. When someone runs the bus stop sign, the drivers frequently get the vehicle’s license plate number and pass it along to Taylor.

Taylor said he has followed up and knocked on several of the vehicle owners’ doors to remind them of the law.

“The answer I usually get is that someone else was driving the vehicle,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he and other officers have even gone so far as to follow the buses around on their routes. While the presence of the police cruiser gets people’s attention, Taylor said it shouldn’t be necessary.

“We shouldn’t have to follow buses around in order for people to stop when the school bus is picking up or dropping off children,” Taylor said.

Taylor warned that Corbin Police are increasing their efforts before and after school in order to draw more attention to this problem.

“We will be sitting in plain view,” Taylor said of the increased patrols. “If we catch you doing it, there won’t be a warning. We are going to write a ticket.”

Taylor noted that passing a school bus that is picking up or dropping off children is considered the same as running a stop sign. It carries a fine of $20 to $100 along with $143 in court costs.

“You have to pay the court costs whether you go to court or not,” Taylor noted.