Officials with the N.C. Highway Patrol say that the first complete day of “Operation Stop Arm” went smoothly.

“We have had no problems,” said N.C. Highway Partol First Sgt. D.L. Hewitt about the campaign targeting those who fail to yield to stopped school buses. “Monday went off without a hitch and we are hoping that everything stays the same way this week.”

The “Operation Stop Arm” campaign kicked off on Monday morning and will run through Friday, Oct. 23.

The campaign is an aggressive crackdown on motorists who fail to stop for school bus stop arms. Across the state, Highway Patrol troopers will be patrolling in school zones, and others will be following school buses. Troopers will be driving marked and unmarked patrol cars.

“We are going to be out in force,” said Hewitt. “We will have troopers following buses, in unmarked cars, and just making sure that the buses arrive safe and are getting to their destinations without any trouble.”

Hewitt notes that while the campaign is something that focuses on traffic violators, it is important to remember who rides the buses, too.

“In the last couple of years, around the state, there have been accidents involving drivers who go around those arms. That will put the children, as well as other drivers, in dangerous situations,” he said. “There have been at least three children killed at bus stops in the state. This is why this campaign is so important.”

Deputies from the Sampson County Sheriff’s officers will also be involved with the campaign.

SROs (Student Resource Officers) from the Sheriff’s Office already assist bus drivers in their assigned districts, in addition to officers with the Criminal Interdiction Unit.

“So many times drivers are up on a bus before they know it,” said Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. “You should be aware of these buses no matter what is going on. These buses can only go a certain speed. When they stop and that arm comes out, you need to stop, too. You have to use a little common sense when you are driving ...”

State law requires drivers on both sides of a four-lane road to stop for school buses. Drivers on the opposite side of the road can continue driving only if the four-lane road has a turning lane or a median.

“It is important that drivers obey the law,” said Hewitt. “We want to make sure that the speed is controlled and that no one is injured, especially the children.”

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.