Cumberland testing 6-foot school bus stop arm

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Cumberland County Schools is testing out a new tool to keep kids safe at the bus stop. It's a 6-foot stop arm intended to make buses more visible to drivers when they stop to pick up students.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

"It's hard to believe that people don't see a big yellow bus going down the road, but we have 4-5 cars running a stopped school sign every day," said Cumberland County Schools Transportation Director Al Miller.

Five buses are outfitted with the new stop arms as part of a pilot program. On the road, the new stop arms extend into the opposite lane.

And across the state, this year, there are other new school bus safety rules students, parents, and drivers will need to learn. Amber warning lights on the bus start flashing 300 feet before the stop. When the bus comes to a full stop, the driver activates the stop arm and flashing red lights, and then uses three hand signals to let students know when it is safe to cross.

A flat palm up means stop. A thumbs up means it's clear. A finger point means come across the road. The same hand signals are used when dropping off students.

Students will also be given instructional pamphlets and there are teaching video's on ncbussafety.org. The new procedures will add extra time to the bus routes.

"We are asking the public to be aware and understand we are putting safety first at the bus stops," said Miller.

Passing a stopped school bus in North Carolina is an automatic $500 fine.