In Duluth, school bus drivers are sounding the alarm after dozens of drivers have ignored bus stop arms so far this year. Police say cameras installed on buses are helping them hold violators accountable, but the rising number of cases shows there is still a serious problem on the roads.
So far in 2025, there have already been 40 school bus stop arm violations in Duluth. That may sound like just a number, but for bus drivers, it means dozens of situations where a child’s life could have been put in danger because someone didn’t stop.
Many parents and drivers may remember a shocking incident in 2023 when a young girl in Willow River was nearly struck by a car that ignored the stop arm of her bus. That video drew statewide attention and reminded people of the real dangers when drivers don’t follow the law around school buses.
From behind the wheel, bus drivers say it’s hard to understand why anyone would take that risk. Veteran driver Karen Wickner put it simply: “If I have a stop arm out, all cars going behind me and in front of me are supposed to stop.” She said her biggest concern every day is making sure her students get to and from school safely, and she wishes more drivers thought the same way.
After that 2023 scare, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety gave the Duluth School District a $70,000 grant to install stop arm cameras on every district bus. Those cameras have made a big difference. According to Sergeant Mike Jambor of the Duluth Police Department, every violation that has been reported since the cameras went up has been caught. The cameras make it possible to identify cars, license plates, and drivers without relying on bus drivers to quickly jot down details while also trying to keep children safe.
District communications officer Adelle Wellens explained that the cameras give drivers peace of mind. Instead of splitting their attention between kids and reckless drivers, they can focus entirely on the students. “The camera will catch that license plate number and the description of the car,” she said.
But the problem is not going away. In 2024, Duluth recorded 142 stop arm violations—the highest number in the last three years. Officials believe distracted driving is a major reason behind the increase. People are eating, adjusting radios, or reaching for their phones instead of paying attention to flashing lights and stop signs on buses.
Wellens has a clear message for drivers: “Put those distractions down. Don’t eat, don’t mess with your radio, don’t mess with your phone.” She said that a split-second mistake can have life-altering consequences for a child and their family.
The law is also clear. Ignoring a school bus stop arm is not a minor traffic ticket—it can lead to fines starting at $500 and even charges as serious as a gross misdemeanor, depending on the situation. Beyond the financial cost, drivers who ignore these rules are gambling with children’s lives.
Bus drivers like Wickner say the request they have for the public is simple. “Please be aware that children are unpredictable, just like on a bicycle or anything else, we have to let them finish crossing the road. Don’t get in a hurry, that’s what causes accidents.” She added that children may drop something, turn back suddenly, or run across without warning. That’s why it is critical for every driver to take extra care around buses.
As the school year gets underway, the community is being urged to stay alert during the times students are traveling to and from school. Morning and afternoon hours are when buses are busiest, and drivers are reminded to slow down, watch the road closely, and stop whenever a school bus stop arm is extended.
For parents, bus drivers, and the police, the message is the same: children’s lives are at stake. A few seconds of patience behind the wheel can prevent tragedy, and the responsibility lies with every driver to make sure kids get to school and home safely.
