Phoenix Police out to cite and fine drivers who pass school buses loading or unloading children

PHOENIX - Beware Valley drivers--obey the rules of the road around school buses or face hefty fines of $500 or more!

Every day about 23 million American school children begin and end their days being picked up or dropped off by school buses.

Federal safety officials say up to 15 school children a year have been killed or injured getting on or off their own school bus because motorists fail to stop and yield.

You can read more about the local rules of the road at Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 28-85 .

The most hazardous locations for children are on or near major thoroughfares.

Phoenix Police have launched Operation Safe Package in an effort to get drivers to remember they must come to a complete stop and never pass or overtake a school bus that has stopped and displayed flashing lights or stop signals.  

Starting Monday and continuing throughout January, Phoenix Police will be conducting a special high enforcement program designed to educate drivers and cite offenders who fail to stop for school buses when they are picking up or dropping off our children.

Officers from the South Mountain Precinct will monitor designated drop off and pick-up points looking for violators.

The locations selected are areas where most violations occur and where there is the greatest danger of harm to children.

Officers will concentrate efforts in the major thoroughfare locations around South Mountain Precinct including:

• 5600 S. 32nd Street
• 3300 E. Southern Ave                                 
• 3400 E. Southern Ave                                 
• 3200 E. Southern Ave                     
• Central Avenue and Olympic Street                       
• 1400 East Southern Avenue           
• 4200 East Baseline Road                         
• 700 East Alta Vista Road                                                              
• 16th Street and Baseline Road                                          
• 16th Street and Vineyard Road                                
• 16th Street and Broadway Road                              
• 16th Street and Apollo Street                                             
• 200 W. Southern Avenue