Gastonia police increase patrols after dozens of school zone traffic violations

GASTONIA, N.C. — Officers with the Gastonia Police Department say they’ve already issued 60 speeding violations in school zones since the school year began a little more than two weeks ago.

Among the citations issued, one driver was clocked traveling 62 mph in a 25 mph school zone.

At least six other drivers have been caught illegally passing, including five violations specifically for passing a bus with its red lights and stop arm activated.

New video shared by the department shows a driver fly by a stopped school bus. An officer immediately spotted the violation and pulled them over.

Now, police are increasing enforcement to help protect children on their way to and from school.

The Gastonia Police Department says traffic officers will conduct weekly school-zone speed enforcement patrols and follow school bus routes to monitor drivers who ignore the red lights and stop arm.

The department told Channel 9’s Ken Lemon that their officers won’t be easy to spot. The cars are unmarked, making it hard to realize it’s a patrol car until the blue lights come on.

Sgt. Dan Lane with the Gastonia Police Department says this kind of enforcement is a life-saving measure.

“We’re lucky because no one has been hit,” Lane said. “But it’s only a matter of time before your luck runs out and someone does get hit from being impatient.”

Drivers in both directions must stop anytime a bus stops on most two- and four-lane roads.

Failure to stop could result in a $500 fine, and hitting someone is a felony. That comes with higher fines, losing your license and possible jail time.

For kids walking to school or the bus stop, police recommend sticking to designated crosswalks and walking alongside other students and families.

State laws

Channel 9 took a look at North Carolina school bus stop laws.

On two- and four-lane roads, all drivers must stop for the bus. On roads with four or more lanes and a center median, only traffic following the bus has to stop.

There is a small difference with school bus stop laws in South Carolina.

On a four- or more-lane highway, even without a median, only drivers behind the bus have to stop when the bus stops.