Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following announcement on Nov. 18.
Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools buses got a makeover at the end of October as part of a pilot program. Extended stop arms were added to help keep students, bus drivers and motorists safe.
“We are always looking for ways to improve safety for our students," said Adam Johnson, the executive director of transportation. "The extended stop arms are another tool for our drivers to use, especially in locations where motorists fail to stop for the flashing red lights and stop signs. If we can see benefits to using these extended stop arms, there would be opportunities to add more to our fleet.”
The extended stop arm works with the existing bus stop sign. The steel frame attaches to the bus at three points, protecting the original stop sign. An aluminum breakaway frame is mounted to the steel frame with two shear bolts. The total length from the side of the bus is up to 6.5 feet.
Minimal training is required. The extended stop arm works on the same controls the driver currently uses.
After the first day of using it, CMS bus driver Shavadra Jones said she noticed cars were staying back and paying much more attention.
"So far, the extended stop arm is working great. People are more aware of stopping because they can see it. It is big, red and flashing. It eases my mind, especially when students have to cross the road," said Jones.
Original source can be found here.
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