BusGates Tackles National School Bus Safety Crisis with Stop Arm Extension Technology

Over 39 Million Illegal Passing Incidents Estimated Per Year, Threatening Student Safety

CHICAGO, Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --  As millions of students return to school this fall, the issue of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses remains a critical safety concern. In response to this ongoing crisis, BusGates is expanding the reach of its stop arm extension technology, an innovative safety solution designed to make school buses more visible and encourage driver compliance.

According to the most recent survey by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), over 114,000 school bus drivers reported 67,258 illegal passing incidents in a single day during the 2024–2025 school year. Projecting across a 180-day school year, the data suggests that drivers commit more than 39.3 million stop-arm violations each year.

"Every time a driver illegally passes a stopped school bus, they're putting children's lives at risk," said BusGates co-founder Jeff Stauffer. "As a parent, that is unacceptable. Our stop arm extension technology is designed to combat this behavior head-on by making the obligation to stop impossible to ignore."

Unlike traditional stop arms, BusGates LED illuminated stop arm extensions extend 5 feet from the side of the bus, reinforcing the legal and visual boundaries drivers must respect when buses are stopped to load or unload children.

"Extended stop arms are like the crossing gates at a railroad, designed to prevent tragedy by stopping motorists before danger strikes. In safety, real protection comes from being proactive." said Nathaniel Spence, Coordinator of Transportation for Amityville Public Schools in New York.

Recent field deployments of the technology have demonstrated promising outcomes with school districts across the U.S. reporting the following:

• Significant decrease in illegal pass-throughs at high-risk stops since installation
• Zero violations reported at some locations after deployment
• No red light runners observed — the system commands driver attention
• Drivers are stopping at greater distances, both in front of and behind the bus
• Noticeable reduction in violations during early morning, low-light hours

BusGates emphasizes that the real urgency lies in addressing the nationwide epidemic of violations. The stop arm extension system not only enhances visibility but also sends a stronger visual signal to drivers, compelling them to stop and protect students crossing the street.

"With millions of violations happening every year, we can't afford to treat this as a localized issue," said Trevor Clatfelter, BusGates Co-Founder. "It's a national problem that demands national attention, and real solutions."

BusGates stop arm extensions are now being used by school districts in 26 states including: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, as well as in Canada.

About Bus Gates
www.busgates.com
Bus Gates is on a mission to reduce vehicle "drive-arounds" at bus stops across America and make getting to and from school safer for students. Bus Gates stop-arm extensions are a simple, cost-effective solution to a major problem - cars ignoring stopped school bus warnings putting students at risk. Bus Gates stop-arm extensions easily retro fits to the existing school bus stop signs. They offer additional visibility and stick out further from the bus to make drivers more aware and reduce illegal "drive-arounds" by up to 95%.

CONTACT:
Chris McCloud/ 217-502-4376
[email protected]

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SOURCE BusGates