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'Operation Stop Arm' kicks off across North Carolina

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Starting Monday morning, state troopers will be cracking down on drivers who try to pass stopped school buses.

Operation Stop Arm will run through Friday.

Troopers will follow school buses closely during the operation -- an aggressive way they are cracking down on drivers that don't stop for bus stop arms.

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In North Carolina, 3,000 drivers a day ignore school bus stop signs, according to the Department of Public Instruction.

Troopers across the state will be watching for the drivers that ignore the law. In North Carolina, drivers in the opposite lane of the bus have to stop unless it is a 4-lane highway or road separated by a median or a center turning lane.

Since 1999, 13 children have been killed in North Carolina by drivers that failed to stop for buses.

In addition to the bus's extending stop sign, each bus has flashing yellow lights to alert motorists that it is about to stop. Soon, school districts in the state will be using cameras to catch violators.

Union County has taken steps to crack down on drivers breaking the law, equipping more than 100 buses with cameras that capture everything that happens in front of the bus.

Ten buses are also equipped with cameras that capture three different angles of the offenders.

A new law going into effect in January will give each district two buses with cameras to target drivers that fail to stop. Violators face a fine of $500, not including court costs, and will receive five points on their license.

Click here if you spot drivers passing stopped school buses.

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