Lee County records over 25,000 school bus stop-arm violations since fall

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)— The Lee County Sheriff's Office said drivers have illegally passed stopped school buses more than 25,000 times in Lee County since the start of the school year.

The School District of Lee County said BusPatrol safety cameras captured 25,454 stop-arm violations through April. LCSO confirmed each violation.

The district said that no appointment, phone call, or errand is worth more than a child's life.

Florida law requires drivers to stop when they see yellow lights flashing on a school bus. When red lights flash and the stop-arm extends, stopping is mandatory.

"When you see a school bus with its stop-arm out, it's not just a 'suggestion'—it is a legal requirement designed to ensure our students get to and from school safely," the district said on Facebook.