Stop Right Now!

1. http://tablet.olivesoftware.com/Olive/Tablet/AustinAmericanStatesman/SharedArticle.aspx?href=AAS%2F2013%2F10%2F17&id=Ar03702
2. Category of problem: Transportation
3. Level of problem: Local level
4. The article concerns: Lake Travis schools district is implementing Bus-Guard on their buses to distribute tickets to any unlawful drivers.
5. Why is this important to individuals/families OR how does it affect individuals/families?
       --Implementing Bus-Guards on school buses will effect individuals who are unlawful and do not obey the extended stop arm. Bus-Guards will protect students from potential harm. 
6. What are your views on the issue/policy?
       --I think that Lake Travis school district is smart to install Bus-Guards. I see too many drivers on the road not obeying simple laws like “stop” signs and “no u-turn”. I have also seen plenty of drivers drive right on through a bus’ extended stop arm. What else would that sign mean, but for all drivers who surround the bus to stop. School buses hold our children, our future leaders of America. We need to protect them in every fashion, and it needs to start right when they leave their houses. There are too many freak accidents that happen every day. We can prevent accidents like running a bus’ stop sign and hitting a child.

Bus-Guards would be just like traffic cameras that can write you a ticket for not obeying a red light. One of the first rules you learn during Drivers Ed. is that the color red means stop. However, not many people know what the buses red extended stop sign arm really means. Does it mean that you can stop and look both ways, but then keep driving? Or does it mean that only the cars behind a bus need to stop? Or does it mean what it actually means, which is everyone behind or in front needs to stop. With Bus-Guards being on the side of buses, the tickets that they will give to unlawful drivers will teach them the rules. "'Our studies have shown that the same people pass buses over and over again, and if you issue them a citation, it’s proved to mitigate or at least decrease instances,' Swartwood said. 'It’s all about deterring behavior.'" Bus-Guards will be a start to improving peoples driving and forcing them to obeying laws, along with keeping students safe.