Sheriff’s Office Plans Strategic Patrols for First Day of School
August 21, 2008

As released by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office:

Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland ---- The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Carroll County Public Schools and local law enforcement remind residents that Tuesday, August 26, 2008 marks the first day of the 2008-09 school year. To promote student safety and community awareness, the Sheriff’s Office will be conducting additional patrols as part of the state administered School Bus Safety Enforcement Fund. On Tuesday, deputies will be alert for drivers illegally passing school buses, while concentrating on school bus stops, bus routes and traffic at local schools.

According to the National Association of Pupil Transportation, 26 students were struck and killed last year as they waited at the bus stop, boarded or walked away from the school bus. Motorists are reminded of the Maryland Vehicle Law, which states that when a school bus activates its alternately flashing red lights:

“…the driver of any other vehicle meeting or overtaking the school vehicle shall stop at least 20 feet from the rear of the school vehicle, if approaching the school vehicle from its rear, or at least 20 feet from the front of the school vehicle if approaching from … its front… and may not proceed until the school vehicle resumes motion or the alternately flashing red lights are deactivated.”

The School Bus Safety Enforcement Fund provides grant funding each year for local law enforcement agencies to address the problem of drivers illegally passing school buses. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received $14,000 for enforcement during the 2007-08 school year, and deputies cited forty-nine (49) motorists for failing to stop for the flashing red lights of a school bus. This school year, the Sheriff’s Office has received $20,000 to be used for enforcement and public education, including the posting of several billboards around Carroll County in the coming weeks.